Molecule Shapes (VSEPR)
Add bonds and lone pairs around a central atom and see the 3D shape and bond angles.
Electron geometry–
Molecular shape–
Bond angle–
Example–
What you can learn
- Electron groups repel each other and spread as far apart as possible.
- Lone pairs take up more room than bonds and squeeze the bond angles.
- Molecular shape is named by the atoms only, while electron geometry counts lone pairs too.
Frequently asked questions
What does VSEPR stand for?
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion. Electron groups around a central atom repel each other, which sets the shape of the molecule.
Why is water bent and not linear?
Oxygen has two bonds and two lone pairs. The four groups arrange tetrahedrally, so the two atoms form a bent shape of about 104.5°.