Match each of the formulas (a to c) with the correct diagram (1 to 3) of its shape, and name the shape; indicate if each molecule is polar or nonpolar. (6.6, 6.8, 6.9)1.
2.
3.
a. PBr₃

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. It is determined by the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons around the central atom, which influences the shape of the molecule. Common geometries include linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, and octahedral, each with distinct bond angles.

Polarity in molecules arises from the distribution of electrical charge, which is influenced by the electronegativity of the atoms involved. A molecule is polar if it has a net dipole moment due to an uneven distribution of charge, often resulting from asymmetrical shapes or differences in electronegativity. Nonpolar molecules, on the other hand, have an even charge distribution.

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory is a model used to predict the shape of molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom. According to VSEPR, electron pairs will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, leading to specific molecular shapes that can be correlated with the molecular formulas.