VSEPR Molecular Geometry
Predict molecular shapes, bond angles, polarity, and hybridization using Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory.
Formula
H2O
Central Atom
O
Steric Number
4 (2 bonds + 2 lp)
Electron Geometry
Tetrahedral
Molecular Shape
Bent
Bond Angle(s)
~104.5°
Hybridization
sp³
Polarity
Polar
Classic Example
H₂O
VSEPR Reference
| SN | LP | Electron Geom. | Molecular Shape | Angle | Hybrid. | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | Linear | Linear | 180° | sp | CO₂ |
| 3 | 0 | Trigonal Planar | Trigonal Planar | 120° | sp² | BF₃ |
| 3 | 1 | Trigonal Planar | Bent | ~117° | sp² | SO₂ |
| 4 | 0 | Tetrahedral | Tetrahedral | 109.5° | sp³ | CH₄ |
| 4 | 1 | Tetrahedral | Trigonal Pyramidal | ~107° | sp³ | NH₃ |
| 4 | 2 | Tetrahedral | Bent | ~104.5° | sp³ | H₂O |
| 5 | 0 | Trigonal Bipyramidal | Trigonal Bipyramidal | 90°, 120° | sp³d | PCl₅ |
| 5 | 1 | Trigonal Bipyramidal | Seesaw | ~90°, ~120° | sp³d | SF₄ |
| 5 | 2 | Trigonal Bipyramidal | T-shaped | 90° | sp³d | ClF₃ |
| 5 | 3 | Trigonal Bipyramidal | Linear | 180° | sp³d | XeF₂ |
| 6 | 0 | Octahedral | Octahedral | 90° | sp³d² | SF₆ |
| 6 | 1 | Octahedral | Square Pyramidal | ~90° | sp³d² | BrF₅ |
| 6 | 2 | Octahedral | Square Planar | 90° | sp³d² | XeF₄ |
VSEPR: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion. Multiple bonds (double/triple) count as a single bonding domain. Lone pairs occupy more space than bonding pairs, compressing bond angles.