Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR)
Electrons repel and therefore regions of negative charge, consisting of a pair of electrons, either bonded or non-bonded, move as far apart from each other as possible around a central atom. This enables electron repulsion to be minimised. This theory is used to predict molecular shape.
Repelling power of charge regions: triple bond > double bond > lone pair > single bond
The balloons below represent the 'shape' of a molecule depending on how many regions form around a central atom.
Repelling power of charge regions: triple bond > double bond > lone pair > single bond
The balloons below represent the 'shape' of a molecule depending on how many regions form around a central atom.
Linear
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Trigonal Planar
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Bent
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Tetrahedral
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trigonal pyramid
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bent
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trigonal bipyramid
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See-saw
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t-shaped
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linear
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octahedral
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Square Pyramid
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square planar
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