Practice question · Put in order
Order the steps to predict molecular geometry using VSEPR theory.
- VSEPR: electron pairs arrange to minimise mutual repulsion
- Count bonding pairs and lone pairs around the central atom
- Draw the Lewis structure showing all valence electrons
- Name the molecular shape from the positions of bonded atoms only
Hints
- You need the Lewis structure before you can count electron pairs.
- Shape is read off only after the lone pairs have been accounted for.
Show the answer
- Draw the Lewis structure showing all valence electrons
- Count bonding pairs and lone pairs around the central atom
- VSEPR: electron pairs arrange to minimise mutual repulsion
- Name the molecular shape from the positions of bonded atoms only
Why
VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) predicts shape from electron-pair geometry; lone pairs occupy space but are not counted in the molecular shape name.
Practise Bonding and molecular geometry
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