MCAT CHEM3 Kaplan Review | 100+ Questions | Bond Types, VSEPR, Molecular Geometry, Intermolecular Forces

This expert-verified Kaplan MCAT CHEM3 document presents 100+ Q&A flashcards designed to master chemical bonding concepts critical for the MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations section. Ideal for pre-med students, this guide emphasizes key topics such as ionic, covalent, and coordinate bonds, VSEPR theory, bond polarity, and intermolecular forces, supported by equations, examples, and test-style reasoning. Core topics include: Types of bonds: Ionic: electron transfer, crystalline lattice structure, ΔEN > 1.7 Covalent: shared electrons, bond order, formal charge, resonance Coordinate covalent: lone pair donation (e.g., Lewis acid-base interaction) Covalent bond classification: nonpolar (ΔEN < 0.5), polar (ΔEN = 0.5–1.7), and coordinate Bond strength hierarchy: triple > double > single, with shorter bonds being stronger σ and π bonds: formation, geometry, and relative strength VSEPR theory: Electron geometry vs molecular geometry Common shapes: linear, bent, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, T-shaped, octahedral Bond angle influence by lone pairs Intermolecular forces: London dispersion (weakest), dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding Relation to boiling point, solubility, and molecular polarity Formal charge (FC) and its calculation: FC = valence e⁻ – lone pairs – bonding electrons Dipole moment: μ = q × d (charge × distance vector) Lattice energy: strength of ionic compounds based on charge and radius Application examples: Ordering compounds by bond strength or boiling point Drawing Lewis structures, resonance structures, and hybrid orbitals Identifying metalloids and distinguishing network covalent vs molecular compounds Real MCAT-style analogies and mnemonics (e.g., “kidnapping analogy” for ionization energy) Perfect for students in: MCAT prep (Kaplan, AAMC practice tests) General Chemistry Chemical Bonding and Structure courses Inorganic or Physical Chemistry foundational modules Keywords: chemical bonding, ionic bond, covalent bond, coordinate covalent, bond polarity, resonance, bond order, sigma bond, pi bond, formal charge, dipole moment, VSEPR, molecular geometry, bond angles, hybridization, London dispersion, hydrogen bonding, ionization energy, electronegativity, lattice energy, Lewis structure, periodic trends, MCAT chemistry, Kaplan CHEM3