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

Question

• 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 close to each other as possible.
• Chemists can't predict the shape of molecules, because the attractive forces between valence electrons are unpredictable.
• Due to the attraction between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as close to each other as possible.

Answer 1

The correct option is:

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

This principle is part of the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, which explains how the shapes of molecules are determined by the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom.