Final answer:
According to the VSEPR theory, five electron groups around the central atom result in a trigonal bipyramidal electron geometry. The arrangement minimizes repulsions between electrong groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, a molecule or ion that has five electron groups around the central atom will have the basic electron geometry of trigonal bipyramidal.
This configuration is adopted because electron groups, which include bonding pairs, lone pairs, or even a single unpaired electron, repel each other due to their like charges. By arranging the electron groups in the corners of a trigonal bipyramid, these repulsions are minimized, resulting in the most stable arrangement with the lowest energy for the molecular structure.