How do chemists predict the shapes of molecules?

Question

A. Due to the repulsion between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as close to each other as possible
B. Chemists can't predict the shape of molecules, because the attractive forces between valence electrons are unpredictable
C. Due to the attraction between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as close to each other as possible
D. Due to the repulsion between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as far apart from each other as possible

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

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

Chemists use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the shapes of molecules. This theory is based on the idea that electron pairs in the valence shell of an atom will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion between them, resulting in specific geometric shapes for the molecules.