What is a stretch (symmetric versus asymmetric)?

What is a bend?

ionterpreting infrared spectra
NEED HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For stretching, think of the H2 molecule as

H---H. Now take your left hand on the left H and your right hand on the right H and stretch it like a rubber band.

For bending, look at the H2O molecule.
O--H
|
H
There is a stretching frequency for the OH bands. But the H atoms rock closer to each other and farther from each other also. That is the bending frequency.