Question

Wht is the VSEPR theory?

Answer 1

The VSEPR or Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory is a theory that explains the geometry of molecules based on repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell.Valence shell electrons may be*.Bonding electrons (just count the sigmabonds) or*.Antibonding electrons (lone pairs)The number of these pairs and their role determines the bond angle due to repulsion of the negative electrons to each other. These bonds and lone pairs will form the geometry that keeps these electrons as farapart as possible.For instance with twoelectrons pairs you get a linear structure. For example carbon dioxide has 2 double bonds with no lone pair electrons makinga 180° bond angle at the central (carbon) atom.

Answer 2

Valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory is a model used in chemistry to predict the geometry of individual molecules from the number of electron pairs surrounding their central atoms. It is also named the Gillespie-Nyholm theory after its two main developers, Ronald Gillespie and Ronald Nyholm.