Question

According to VSEPR theory, molecules adjust their shapes to keep which of the following as far apart as possible?

Selected:
a. pairs of valence electrons
b. inner shell electrons
c. mobile electrons
d. the electrons closest to the nuclei

Answer 1

VSEPR theory suggests that molecular shapes adjust to keep valence electron pairs as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion and achieve a low-energy configuration.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to VSEPR theory, molecules adjust their shapes to keep pairs of valence electrons as far apart as possible. The VSEPR theory, which stands for valence-shell electron pair repulsion model, assumes that these electron pairs in the valence shell repel each other and therefore, arrange themselves in a way that minimizes this repulsion.

This leads to molecular shapes that have the lowest possible energy due to the maximization of distances between electron pairs.