VSEPR (Shapes of molecules)

Question 1

How is a shape of a molecule determined?

Answer 1

It’s determined by the number of electron pairs around the central atom.

Question 2

What does valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) say?

Answer 2

That any lone pairs around the central atom provides additional repulsive forces, which changes the bond angle and shape of the molecule.

Question 3

For every lone pair how much is the angle between the covalent bond reduced by?

Answer 3

2.5*

Question 4

Why does the biggest bond angle exist between the covalent bond?

Answer 4

Because each electron pair naturally repels each other so this can happen.

Question 5

What do bonding pairs indicate?

Answer 5

The basic shape.

Question 6

What do lone pairs indicate?

Answer 6

Any additional repulsion.

Question 7

Linear molecule shape.

Answer 7

Bonding pairs} 2e-
Lone pairs} 0e-
Bond angle} 180*

Question 8

Bent molecule shape.

Answer 8

Bonding pairs} 2e-
Lone pairs} 2e-
Bond angle} 104.5*

Question 9

Triagonal planar shape.

Answer 9

Bonding pairs} 3e-
Lone pairs} 0e-
Bond angle} 120*

Question 10

Triangular pyramid shape.

Answer 10

Bonding pairs} 3e-
Lone pairs} 1e-
Bond angle} 107*

Question 11

Tetrahedral molecule shape.

Answer 11

Bonding pairs} 4e-
Lone pairs} 0e-
Bond angle} 109.5*

Question 12

Triagonal bipyramid shape.

Answer 12

Bonding pairs} 5e-
Lone pairs} 0e-
Bond angle} 180* and 120*

Question 13

Octahedral molecule shape.

Answer 13

Bonding pairs} 6e-
Lone pairs} 0e-
Bond angle} 90*