Molecular Symmetry Tutorial

What is a symmetry operation?

• A chemical reaction

• A transformation that leaves an object unchanged or invariant

• A type of mathematical equation

• A physical force

Name one type of symmetry operation.

• Compression

• Reflection

• Stretching

• Expansion

How does a symmetry operation affect an object?

• It preserves the overall shape and structure of the object.

• It only affects the color of the object.

• It has no effect on the object.

• It completely changes the shape of the object.

Can you give an example of a symmetry operation in everyday life?

• Drawing a random pattern on a piece of paper

• Cutting a piece of paper into random shapes

• Tearing a piece of paper in half

• Folding a piece of paper in half

What are the different types of symmetry operations?

• rotation, translation, dilation

• reflection, refraction, diffraction

• expansion, contraction, distortion

• reflection, rotation, inversion

Describe the concept of inversion symmetry operation.

• Inversion symmetry means stretching a point to its opposite

• Inversion symmetry involves rotating a point 180 degrees around a center

• A point is transformed to its opposite through a mirror reflection

• A point is transformed to its opposite through a center of inversion.

What is the principal rotation axis, C_n of [MnCl(CO)₅]?

• C₂

• C₃

• C₄

• C₆

Choose the correct symmetry operations for sulfur tetrafluoride

• E, C₄, σ_v, σ_h

• E, C₂, σ_v’_, σ_v”

• C₄, σ_v, σ_h

• E, C₂, σ_v’_, σ_v”, i

What is the point group of 1,2-dibromobenzene?

• D_2h

• C_3v

• C_2h

• C_2v

What is the point group of 1,4-dibromobenzene?

• D_2h

• C_2h

• C_2v

• D_2d