Electron pair repulsion is a fundamental principle in chemistry that describes how electron pairs around a central atom will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, ultimately determining the geometry of the molecule. This principle is the basis for the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, which predicts the three-dimensional shape of molecules based on the number of bonding and lone pairs of electrons.

Electron Pair Repulsion

Electron pair repulsion

fundamental principle in chemistry

electron pairs around a central atom

minimize repulsion

geometry of the molecule

VSEPR theory, or Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory, is used to predict the geometry of molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom. It helps determine the three-dimensional shape of a molecule by minimizing the repulsion between electron pairs, whether they are bonding or non-bonding.

VSEPR Theory

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion

three-dimensional shape of molecules

bonding and lone pairs of electrons

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