3C: SHAPES OF THE MOLECULES

3.16 understand the principles of the electron-pair repulsion theory, used to interpret and predict the
shapes of simple molecules and ions

valence- shell electron-pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory.

The VSEPR theory assumes that each atom in a molecule will achieve a geometry
that minimizes the repulsion between electrons in the valence shell of that atom.
The electron pair repulsion (EPR) theory states that:
 The shape of a molecule or ion is caused by repulsion between the pairs of
electrons, both bond pairs and lone (non-bonding)pairs, that surround the
central atom
 The electron pairs arrange themselves around the central atom so that
repulsion between them is at MINIMUM.
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 Lone pair-lone pair repulsion> lone pair bond pair repulsion>bond pair-bond
pair repulsion


3.17 understand the terms ‘bond length’ and ‘bond angle’

Bond length: the distance between the nuclei of two atoms that are covalently bonded together.

The bond length refers to the distance between the centers of the nuclei of two
bonded atoms in an equilibrium position. The stronger the force of attraction in
between the bonding atoms, the smaller is the length of the bond. However, the
bigger the atom size, the longer the bond length.

Bond angle: A bond angle is the angle between two bonds originating from the same atom in a
covalent species.

Bond angle refers to the angle between the two bonds i.e. the angle between two
orbitals that contains a pair of bonding electron around the central atom in a complex
molecule or an ion. This angle is usually measured in degrees, further calculated using
the spectroscopic method.
This gives a clear idea about the distribution of bonded electron pairs around the atoms
and helps in determination of the shape of the molecules. It also gives an idea about the
bonded electron pairs distribution around the atoms and determining the shape of the
molecules.

3.18 know and be able to explain the shapes of, and bond angles in, BeCl2, BCl3, CH4, NH3, NH+ 4, H2O,
CO2, gaseous PCl5 , SF6 and C2H4
 H 2O

CO2
NH3

Methane C2H4