Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Molecule Shapes: Basics InteractiveMolecule Shapes: Basics Interactive
Publisher
PhET
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 12th
Subjects
Science
3 more...
Resource Type
Interactives
Audiences
For Teacher Use
1 more...
Duration
15 mins
Instructional Strategy
Simulation
Technology
Projection
Internet Access
Usage Permissions
Creative Commons
BY: 4.0
cc
Language
English, Spanish, French, Chinese, German, Korean, Other
Interactive

Molecule Shapes: Basics

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Molecule Shapes: Basics interactive also includes:
  • Molecule Shapes: Basics
  • Join to access all included materials

In molecules, bonds rotate about the nucleus due to the repulsion of subatomic particles. In a simulation, learners manipulate the bonds of a molecule to meet the atoms' needs. They can then see the specific molecular shapes of five different molecules as well as their bond angles and molecular geometry. 

24 Views 21 Downloads

Concepts

molecules, atoms, chemical bonds, bond angles

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Model how to make a molecule of water, for example, and then give pairs specific molecules to make and have them compare to teacher's projected correct answer

Classroom Considerations

  • Very similar to simulation titled Molecule Shapes; however, this one does not show lone pairs of electrons
  • Teachers may set up an account for free and gain access to related lesson plans, activities, teacher tips, and a video primer

Pros

  • Easy for all learners to use and manipulate 
  • Graphics are high quality and interesting
  • Simulation can be translated into many different languages

Cons

  • None

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

Molecules and Fuel Cell Technology

Rochester Institute of Technology
A fuel cell is where the jailer keeps gas guzzlers. Scholars review chemical reactions, chemical bonds, and chemical structure in order to apply these concepts. Participants construct fuel cell kits, using electrolysis to run the car and...
6th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Worksheet

8.4 Section Review ~ Polar Bonds and Molecules

Curated OER
A very neat worksheet has been produced by Pearson Education, Inc. for use in a general chemistry class. The first nine questions are fill in the blanks for a paragraph about types of bonds and electronegativity. Five true-false...
9th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

Lewis Structures and Molecular Shapes

Santa Monica College
Learners practice drawing Lewis dot structures, build molecules with model kits, and predict molecular shapes using VSEPR theory. The combination of written work and hands-on reinforcement benefits young scientists.
9th - Higher Ed Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Video

Chemistry: What Is a Covalent Bond? (Polar and Nonpolar)

Socratica
When it comes to covalent bonding, sharing is caring! As part of the Socratica chemistry playlist, a useful video explains the definition of covalent bonding. Then, it works through examples of single bonding, double bonding, polar...
7 mins 9th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Interactive

Build a Molecule

PhET
How many different molecules can you build? In a simulation, learners make molecules from given atoms. There are numerous collections from which to build three to five molecules from given kits of atoms. Scholars can also view their...
6th - Higher Ed Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Interactive

Molecule Shapes

PhET
The shape of a molecule is determined by the arrangement of atoms around the central atom and lone pairs of electrons. Scholars build models of molecules using single, double, and triple bonds. They can then see real molecules bond...
9th - Higher Ed Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Interactive

Double Wells and Covalent Bonds

PHET
Quantum tunneling plays an important role in nuclear fusion, the energy source of the sun. This simulation explores tunneling, double wells, and covalent bonds by allowing individuals to manipulate potential and total energy to learn...
9th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Video

The Science of Macaroni Salad: What's in a Molecule?

TED-Ed
After showing they quick-paced featurette on the breaking of bonds, hold a discussion using the accompanying Think questions. Complex molecules are broken down into smaller molecules during digestion. There are six main molecules that...
3 mins 4th - 9th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Video

Covalent Bonds

Educreations
Share this video with your class and explore the conditions that make covalent bonding possible. Examining the complex series of attractive and repulsive forces that exist between atoms, this video explains how at just the right...
10 mins 9th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Interactive

Comparing Potential Energy of a Bond

Concord Consortium
Have you reached your breaking point in looking for great resources that illustrate bond energy? Demonstrate the potential energy changes that occur when polar and non-polar bonds are broken with a stimulating simulation. Pupils pull on...
9th - 12th Science
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use