VSEPR Theory

VESPR Theory

Molecular Geometry, Bond Angles, Molecular Shape, Hybridization, & Polarity

Coordination/Steric Number

number of bonds and lone pairs around the central atom

Molecular Geometry

The shape that the bonds and lone pairs make

Linear (MG)

Molecular geometry with two bonds and no lone pairs

Trigonal Planar (MG)

Molecular geometry with 3 bonds or 2 bonds & 1 lone pair

Tetrahedral (MG)

Molecular geometry with 4 bonds, 3 bonds and 1 lone pair, 2 bonds and 2 lone pairs, or 1 bond and 3 lone pairs

Molecular Shape

Shape that the bonded molecules create

Linear (MS)

molecular shape with 2 bonds

Trigonal planar (MS)

Molecular shape with 3 bonds

Bent (MS)

Molecular shape with 2 bonds and 1 or 2 lone pairs

Tetrahedral (MS)

Molecular shape with 4 bonds

Trigonal Pyramidal (MS)

Molecular shape 3 bonds and 1 lone pair

Bond Angle

The angle degree of a bond

180°

Bond angle for linear

120°

Bond angle for trigonal planar

<120°

Bond angle for bent trigonal planar

109.5°

Bond angle for tetrahedral

<109.5°

Bond angle for trigonal pyramidal and bent tetrahedral

Hybridization

Mixing orbitals (s, p, and d) to create new orbitals

sp

Hybridization for linear molecular geometry

sp²

Hybridization for trigonal planar molecular geometry

sp³

Hybridization for tetrahedral molecular geometry