Question

Which of these statements describes the basic idea of the Valence Shell

Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory?
1. Molecules repel one another due to intermolecular forces.

2. There is always an octet of electrons around an atom in a molecule

3. Shared and unshared electron pairs repel each other as much as
possible
4. Electrons are attracted to the nucleus of the central atom.

Answer 1

3. Shared and unshared electron pairs repel each other as much as

possible

Step-by-step explanation:

The variations in the bond angles of molecules and ions can be explained using the valence shell electron pair repulsion theory.

The VESPR model determines the total number of electron pairs (TEP) surrounding the central atom of a specie. The TEP consists of bond pairs BP and lone pairs LP.

All the electron pairs will orient themselves in such a way as to minimize the electrostatic repulsion between them.

The repulsion determines the geometry of the covalent bonds around the central atom. As the number of lone pairs increases from 0 to 2, the bond angles diminishes progressively.