Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 10: Problem 4

Discuss the basic features of the VSEPR model. Explain why the magnitude of repulsion decreases in this order: lone pair-lone pair \(>\) lone pair-bonding pair \(>\) bonding pair-bonding pair.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) model predicts the geometric arrangement of atoms in molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs in an atom's valence shell. Its key features include the determination of molecular geometry by the number of electron pairs, and the minimization of repulsion by spatial arrangement of these pairs. The order of lone pair-lone pair (lp-lp) > lone pair-bonding pair (lp-bp) > bonding pair-bonding pair (bp-bp) repulsion is due to the spatial distribution of the electron pairs, with lone pairs being more diffuse and hence exerting a greater repulsive effect.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the VSEPR Model

The VSEPR model is a hypothesis that provides a quantitative representation of the spatial arrangements of atoms in molecules. According to this model, electron pairs in the valence shell of an atom repulse each other and try to get as far apart as possible to minimise the repulsion.
02

Identifying the basic features of VSEPR Model

The main concepts or features of the VSEPR model are: (i) The number of electron pairs around the central atom decides the geometry of the molecule. (ii) The electron pairs (both bonding and non-bonding) take up positions in space to minimize repulsion. (iii) Lone pairs of electrons are spatially more diffuse and thus repel electron pairs (bonding or non-bonding) more than bonding pairs do.
03

Explaining the Order of Repulsion

The repulsion order of lone pair-lone pair (lp-lp) greater than lone pair-bonding pair (lp-bp) greater than bonding pair-bonding pair (bp-bp) stems from the fact that lone pairs are solely associated with one nucleus, allowing them to spread out more in space, leading to a larger electron cloud. As a result, their repulsion effect is stronger compared to bonding pairs which are shared between two nuclei and hence are more confined in space.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Briefly compare the VSEPR and hybridization approaches to the study of molecular geometry.

Specify which hybrid orbitals are used by carbon atoms in these species: (a) \(\mathrm{CO},\) (b) \(\mathrm{CO}_{2},\) (c) \(\mathrm{CN}^{-}\).

List these molecules in order of increasing dipole moment: \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{CBr}_{4}, \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{~S}, \mathrm{HF}, \mathrm{NH}_{3}, \mathrm{CO}_{2}\)

Draw the Lewis structure for the \(\mathrm{BeCl}_{4}^{2-}\) ion. Predict its geometry and describe the hybridization state of the Be atom.

The molecules cis-dichloroethylene and transdichloroethylene shown on p. 324 can be interconverted by heating or irradiation. (a) Starting with cis-dichloroethylene, show that rotating the \(\mathrm{C}=\mathrm{C}\) bond by \(180^{\circ}\) will break only the pi bond but will leave the sigma bond intact. Explain the formation of trans- dichloroethylene from this process. (Treat the rotation as two, stepwise \(90^{\circ}\) rotations.) (b) Account for the difference in the bond enthalpies for the pi bond (about \(270 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\) ) and the sigma bond (about \(350 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\) ). (c) Calculate the longest wavelength of light needed to bring about this conversion.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Physical Chemistry

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free