← Bonding, structure, properties and energy changes

Reading the notation

A small set of terms and symbols carries every part of this paper — the schedules reward you for naming them precisely, not just describing them.

📖 Symbols and terms used in bonding & energy

6 terms

Cover the right column and check you can say what each one means.

ΔrH
The enthalpy change of a reaction — negative for exothermic, positive for endothermic.
VSEPR
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion — regions of electron density arrange for maximum separation, giving the parent geometry; bonded regions only give the final molecular shape.
Region of electron density
A bonding pair, a lone pair, or a multiple bond — counted ONCE each around the central atom, regardless of how many bonds a double/triple bond represents.
Dipole
A separation of partial charge (δ+/δ−) along a polar bond, caused by a difference in electronegativity.
Symmetry (of dipoles)
Whether the bond dipoles around a central atom point in directions that cancel (non-polar overall) or do not cancel (polar overall).
Bond enthalpy / bond energy
The energy needed to break one mole of a specific bond — always positive; the same amount is released when that bond forms.

Practice for this standard covers the whole topic — flashcards and quiz.