Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory
What is Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory?
Valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory is a model for predicting the three-dimensional geometry of molecules based on the principle that electron pairs (both bonding and lone pairs) in the valence shell of a central atom arrange themselves to minimize repulsion. Lone pairs exert greater repulsive forces than bonding pairs, which accounts for deviations from ideal bond angles (e.g., the H–N–H angle in ammonia is 107° rather than 109.5°). VSEPR theory is a simple, powerful tool for predicting molecular shapes such as linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory is a model for predicting the three-dimensional geometry of molecules based on the principle that electron pairs (both bonding and lone pairs) in the valence shell of a central atom arrange themselves to minimize repulsion. Lone pairs exert greater repulsive forces than bonding pairs, which accounts for deviations from ideal bond angles (e.g., the H–N–H angle in ammonia is 107° rather than 109.5°). VSEPR theory is a simple, powerful tool for predicting molecular shapes such as linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral.