KnowraLinear molecular geometryLinear molecular geometryA molecular shape in which the atoms lie along a straight line, giving a bond angle of 180 degrees.BriefConnectValence shell electron pair repulsion theory: A model that predicts molecular shapes by treating electron domains around a central atom as mutually repulsive. Its repulsion rules predict 180-degree arrangements when two electron domains surround a central atom.Carbon dioxide: A molecule consisting of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms, with formula CO₂. Its O=C=O arrangement is a familiar example of a linear molecule.Sp hybridization: An orbital-mixing model in which one s orbital and one p orbital form two hybrid orbitals oriented 180 degrees apart. It provides a bonding model for linear arrangements around atoms such as carbon in CO₂.Infrared spectroscopy: A technique that probes molecular vibrations through absorption of infrared radiation. Linear molecules have characteristic vibrational modes whose activity depends on symmetry.Molecular geometry: The three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule. Linear geometry is one specific arrangement within this broader description of molecular shape.Beryllium chloride: A compound with formula BeCl₂ that is linear in its gas-phase molecular form. Its two Be–Cl bonds form a 180-degree angle in the isolated gas-phase molecule.Molecular orbital theory: A theory describing molecular electrons as occupying orbitals spread over a molecule. It explains bonding and electronic structure beyond localized bond-angle models.Dipole moment: A vector measure of the separation of positive and negative charge in a system. In a symmetric linear molecule, opposing bond dipoles can cancel to give zero net dipole.Electron domain: A region of electron density around an atom, such as a bond or lone pair. Two electron domains on the central atom commonly establish the linear arrangement.Hydrogen cyanide: A molecule with formula HCN, comprising hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen atoms. Its H–C≡N atom sequence lies along a straight line.Show all 20Linked from 3 pagesCarbon–carbon bondRelated: Carbon atoms in carbon–carbon triple bonds are typically linear.Trigonal bipyramidal molecular geometryCompared with: It can result when three positions in a five-domain arrangement hold lone pairs.Show all 3