u3: VSEPR

Question 1

wht does molecular shape determine?

Answer 1

a molecule’s physical and chemical properties

Question 2

molecular shape depends on….

Answer 2

1. nature of atoms involved in bonding
2. bond angles
3. bond distance

Question 3

wht does VSEPR stand for

Answer 3

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion

Question 4

what is VSEPR theory

Answer 4

• predicts shape of molecules bc electrons repel each other
• uses lewis structure to examine bonding and non-bonding pairs

Question 5

bonding electrons

Answer 5

valence electrons that are shared between atoms to form covalent bonds

Question 6

non-bonding electrons/lone pairs

Answer 6

valence electrons that are not shared with other atoms

Question 7

what do electrons want?

Answer 7

• to maximize space
• this means that the molecule shape depends on number of bonding electrons/lone pairs around central atom

Question 8

steps to determine molecular shape using VSEPR

Answer 8

1. draw lewis structure of molecule
2. count bonds around central atom (single/double/triple bonds count as 1)
3. count number of lone pairs on central atoms
4. use sum of steps 2 nd 3 to determine AX (steric number)