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🧬 Molecular Geometry

VSEPR shapes — see how bonding pairs and lone pairs determine 3D geometry

4
0
0°
Shape: Tetrahedral
Bond Angle: 109.5°
Steric #: 4
Example: CH₄
Polarity: Nonpolar

VSEPR Theory

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion predicts molecular shape by minimizing repulsion between electron groups. Bonding pairs (BP) and lone pairs (LP) arrange themselves in 3D. Lone pairs occupy more space than bonding pairs, compressing bond angles. The steric number (BP+LP) determines the electron geometry, while the molecular geometry describes only atom positions.