3 of 213 of 21 Items

Question
How do chemists predict the shapes of molecules?(1 point)
Responses

Due to the attraction between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as close to each other as possible.
Due to the attraction between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as close to each other as possible.

Due to the repulsion between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as far apart from each other as possible.
Due to the repulsion between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as far apart from each other as possible.

Chemists can't predict the shape of molecules, because the attractive forces between valence electrons are unpredictable.
Chemists can't predict the shape of molecules, because the attractive forces between valence electrons are unpredictable.

Due to the repulsion between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as close to each other as possible.
Due to the repulsion between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as close to each other as possible.
Skip to navigation

1 answer

The correct response is:

Due to the repulsion between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as far apart from each other as possible.

Chemists predict the shapes of molecules using the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, which states that electron pairs around a central atom will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, resulting in specific geometric shapes.