VSEPR Theory

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VSEPR Theory

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VSEPR Theory

Post Number: #1 by Jessica » May 10th, 2011, 9:19 pm

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory

Because electrons naturally repel one another, molecules will adjust their shape so that the valence electron pairs around the central atom are as far apart as possible.

There are three types of repulsion between the electron pairs:

Bonding Pair — Bonding Pair: least repulsion
Lone Pair — Bonding Pair: more repulsion
Lone Pair — Lone Pair: greatest repulsion

This strength of the repulsion helps to determine how a molecule will adjust its shape to minimize the electron repulsion.

In order to determine the shape of the molecule, spread the bonds as far apart as possible. Since the central atom determines the shape of the molecule, count the number of electron locations around the central atom to determine the maximum degree of separation.