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Linear and Trigonal Planar

Part of the Structure and Bonding section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 17 of 49.

Two groups, no lone pairs: linear, 180°. Examples: CO₂, HCN, BeCl₂. Any molecule of only two atoms is linear too.

Three groups, no lone pairs: trigonal planar, 120°, all atoms in one flat plane. Examples: BF₃, BH₃, CH₂O.

Carbon dioxide drawn in a straight line, and boron trifluoride with three fluorine atoms spread evenly around boron in one flat plane

Two groups lie in a line; three spread out in a flat triangle

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Challenge

Carbon disulfide, CS₂, is a liquid with a strong smell: S=C=S. What shape is it, and what is its bond angle?

Try it yourself

Shape viewerDescribe the molecule CS2
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This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Structure and Bonding

1Ionic Bonding

Why Atoms BondForming IonsThe Ionic BondIonic FormulasPolyatomic IonsIonic LatticesRecap - Salt Factory

4Polarity

Electronegativity and BondsPolar and Non-polar BondsIonic or CovalentPolar MoleculesWhen Dipoles CancelRecap - Dipole Hunt

7Functional Groups

Carbon ChainsStructural FormulasAlcoholsCarboxylic AcidsEsters and EthersAldehydes, Ketones, AminesRecap - Group Finder

2Covalent Bonds

Sharing ElectronsCounting Valence ElectronsDrawing Lewis StructuresDouble and Triple BondsLone PairsFormal ChargeLewis Structures of IonsRecap - Molecule Builder

5Forces Between Molecules

London ForcesDipole-Dipole ForcesHydrogen BondsBoiling PointsLike Dissolves LikeRecap - Boiling Contest

8Practice Problems

Recap - Polar Bonds SurveyRecap - Pigments and HexaneRecap - Butanol and EtherRecap - Dots on an Oxide

3Shapes of Molecules

Electron GroupsLinear and Trigonal PlanarTetrahedral MoleculesPyramids and Bent MoleculesBond AnglesRecap - Shape Detective

6Metals and Giant Structures

Metallic BondingDiamond and GraphiteGiant Covalent StructuresFour Kinds of SubstanceRecap - Material Match