Covalent Bond Angles and Lengths

Some Single Bond Angles and Lengths

methane

water

ammonia

From studying the geometry of the above molecules you should notice

• there are defined angles between the adjacent Hydrogen atoms.

109.5 for methane
105 for water
107 for ammonia

• there are defined bond lengths for the different molecules

110 A for methane
0.96 A for water
1.01 A for ammonia

In biological terms, the fact that covalent bonds have define bond lengths and angles means that biological molecules have defined and predictable shapes.

Return to covalent bonds

• Course Objectives
• Lecture Outline
• Laboratory Outline
• Required Text Book