Molecular Shapes - VSEPR

Question 1

Valence Shell Electron - Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR)

Answer 1

• lewis structure permit the determination of the three-dimensional arrangement in space of electron pairs and then the molecular shape
• permits prediction of the three-dimensional arrangement of electrons around a central atom
• pairs of electrons will try to be as far apart as possible
• when considering geometry around a central atom sets of electrons are counted
• single bond or nonbonding pair of electrons = 1set
• two pairs (double bond) = 1 set
• three pairs (triple bond) = 1 set

Question 2

hydbridization

Answer 2

• process in which atomic orbitals mix and form new, identical hybrid orbitals

Question 3

electron pair geometry

Answer 3

• identical to molecular shape when there are no nonbonding electrons present
• 4 (set number) - 1 (nonbonding pairs) - pyramidal (molecular shape)
• 4 (set number) - 2 (nonbonding pairs) - bent (molecular shape)