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- VSEPR model can predict the structure of most molecules and polyatomic ions in which the central atom is a non-metal
- Also works for some structures in which the central atom is a metal
- VSEPR builds on Lewis Electron Dot Structures
- Lewis structures alone predict only connectivity while the Lewis structure and VSEPR together can predict the geometry of each atom in a molecule
Key Concepts
- The 4 pairs of electrons around a central atom repel each other
- Pairs of electrons arrange themselves so they are as far apart as possible
- The repulsion between lone pairs is greater than the repulsion between bonding
- Bent’s angle is 104.5˚
- This table will not be given in your exams, you must memorise this
- You do not need to know the angles