VSEPR
What does VSEPR stand for?
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion
True or False:
Electron geometry focuses on bonding pairs and lone pairs.
False.
Electron geometry ONLY focuses on bonding pairs.
True or False:
Molecular geometry focuses on bonding pairs and lone pairs.
True
What are bond angles?
The angle between bonds from the central atom.
Define how a molecule becomes polar.
Unequal sharing of electrons
Define the VSEPR theory.
Electron groups repel each other and adopt arrangements that minimize repulsion.
Four electron groups create this geometry.
Tetrahedral
Water (H2O) takes the shape of what geometry?
Bent
What is an ideal bond angle?
The angle with perfect geometry and minimal electron‑pair repulsion.
Nonpolar molecules often have what kind of molecular geometry?
Symmetrical
What is an electron group?
Lone pairs and bonding pairs surrounding a central atom
Three electron groups form this electron geometry.
Trigonal planar
Methane (CH4) takes the shape of what geometry?
Tetrahedral
Electron repulsion occurs because electrons share this property.
Negative charge
How do lone pairs effect molecular geometry and polarity?
Due to repulsion, they can bend shapes and increase polarity.
Why is the central atom significant?
VSEPR analysis focuses on the central atom to predict shape
Six electron groups lead to this geometry.
Octahedral
Five electron groups and three bonding groups produce this geometry.
T-shaped
What is the ideal bond angle of a molecule with a bent molecular geometry?
120
Which 2 molecular shapes are typically nonpolar due to symmetric arrangement?
Linear and tetrahedral
What does the following notation tell you about a molecule?
AX2E2
A = central atom
X2 = 2 terminal atoms bonded to the central atom
E2 = 2 lone pairs on central atom
4 total electron groups (2 bonding groups + 2 lone pairs)
Electron geometry = tetrahedral
Molecular geometry = bent
Five electron groups give a molecule this geometry.
Trigonal bipyramidal
A molecule with five electron groups and four bonding groups has this shape.
Seesaw
What is the ideal bond angle of a molecule with a trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry?
109.5
How do terminal atoms affect polarity?
Even a symmetric molecule becomes polar when terminal atoms are different.