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Knowledge and Skills Statement

Science concepts. The student knows how atoms form ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds.

the smallest particle of matter that has distinct physical and chemical properties; consists of a nucleus which contains protons and neutrons and an electron cloud which contains electrons

type of bond that results from the sharing of an electron pair between two atoms

a diagram that describes the chemical bonding between atoms in a molecule, where dots represent the valence electrons in the atom, ion, or molecule

type of bond formed from the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions in a chemical compound

a type of chemical bonding that is responsible for the characteristic properties of metals; arise from the electrostatic attractive forces between free electrons and positively charged metal ions

a group of atoms that are chemically bonded to each other

Research

Erlina, Cane, C., and Williams, D. P. "Prediction! The VSEPR Game: Using Cards and Molecular Model Building to Actively Enhance Students’ Understanding of Molecular Geometry." Journal of Chemical Education 95, no. 66 (2018): 991–995. 
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00687

Summary:  Previous work has shown that the formation of misconceptions remains one of the most significant barriers to progress for chemistry students. Determination and visualization of the shapes of molecules using valence shell electron pair repulsion theory (VSEPR theory) is an example of an abstract concept that students often find difficult to learn. An activity has been developed that is supported by simple molecular models.