alleryStart learning →According to VSEPR theory, how do the valence electron pairs around a central atom arrange themselves?
ALine up along a single axis
BMove as far apart as possible
CGather close to one side
DSit right on the nucleus
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Move as far apart as possible
1. All electron pairs carry negative charge, so they repel one another.
2. The pairs arrange themselves so that the repulsion between their charges is as small as possible.
3. That means they end up as far apart from one another as they can be.
4. Counting the pairs around the central atom then gives the shape, such as linear or tetrahedral.
_Source: Siyavula Physical Sciences Grade 11 (Everything Science, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 3: Atomic combinations_
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