Scribd
Upload
87 views1 page

Understanding Molecular Geometry and VSEPR

The document discusses molecular geometry and how the three-dimensional shapes of molecules depend on electron domain repulsion. It introduces valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, which states that electron domains repel one another and arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion. VSEPR theory can be used to predict molecular shapes based on the number of electron domains around a central atom.

Uploaded by

Earl John Francisco
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
87 views1 page

Understanding Molecular Geometry and VSEPR

The document discusses molecular geometry and how the three-dimensional shapes of molecules depend on electron domain repulsion. It introduces valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, which states that electron domains repel one another and arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion. VSEPR theory can be used to predict molecular shapes based on the number of electron domains around a central atom.

Uploaded by

Earl John Francisco
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MOLECULAR GEOMETRY

Many familiar chemical and biochemical processes depend heavily on the three-dimensional shapes of
the molecules and/or ions involved. Our sense of smell is one example; the effectiveness of a particular
drug is another.

Although the shape of a molecule or polyatomic ion must be determined experimentally, we can predict
their shapes reasonably well using Lewis structures and the valence-shell electron-pair repulsion (VSEPR)
theory.

• The VSEPR THEORY states that electron domains repel one another, they will arrange
themselves to be as far apart as possible, thus minimizing the repulsive interactions between
them.

VSEPR MODEL

The basis of the VSEPR model is that electron pairs in the valence shell of an atom repel one another.

There are two types of electron pairs: bonding pairs and non-bonding pairs (also known as lone pairs).
Furthermore, bonding pairs may be found in single bonds or in multiple bonds. For clarity, we will refer
to electron domains instead of electron pairs when we use the VSEPR model.

An electron domain in this context is a lone pair or a bond, regardless of whether the bond is single,
double, or triple.

electron
domains

1|Page GENERAL CHEMISTRY1

You might also like