Domains Set the Frame. Atoms Set the Shape.

CO₂ and H₂O are both “a central atom with two others stuck on.” One is a straight line. The other is bent. Nothing in either written formula tells you which — the formula hides the only thing that decides. Count what the central atom is actually holding, and the shape stops being a fact to memorize and becomes something you can derive.

8 STEPS · 6 QUICK CHECKS · H₂O vs CO₂ · v1