Valence-Shell Electron-Pair Repulsion Theory (10.1.1)

Question 1

What is VSEPR?

Answer 1

• Valence shell electron pair repulsion theory (VSEPR) allows for the prediction of molecular geometries (shapes).

Question 2

What is the steric number (SN)?

Answer 2

• The steric number (SN) describes the number of directions in which an atom has electron density.

Question 3

What is each steric number associated with?

Answer 3

• Each steric number is associated with a specific three-dimensional arrangement of valence electron pairs (electronic geometry).