Final answer:
Molecular properties are determined by the 3D arrangement of atoms and electron pairs around a central atom based on VSEPR theory. Isomers sharing the same formula can have different structures and properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The properties of molecules are a consequence of the 3-dimensional orientation of the atoms and the arrangement of electron pairs (both bonding and non-bonding) around a central atom. These shapes can often be predicted based on the valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, which states that electron pairs repel each other in order to stay as far apart as possible. This repulsion influences the molecular geometry, which is how the atoms are actually arranged in space, and is closely related to the electron group geometry, which considers the arrangement of electron groups. For simple molecules with a single central atom, we can usually predict the shape quite accurately.
We also encounter molecules, known as isomers, which share the same chemical formula but differ in the placement of their atoms or chemical bonds. This leads to different chemical properties. For example, butane and isobutane are structural isomers with distinct uses due to their different arrangements. Understanding molecular structure is crucial for grasping how these differences influence chemical reactivity and physical properties.
The properties of molecules are a consequence of the 3-dimensional orientation of the atoms and chemical bonds around a central atom. This concept is known as molecular geometry. The valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory explains that electron pairs in a molecule repel each other and try to get as far away from each other as possible, resulting in specific arrangements of atoms in the molecule.