Molecule Shapes (VSEPR) Community
Questions, answers and tips from people who use the Molecule Shapes (VSEPR). Drag bonds and lone pairs onto a central atom, rotate it in 3D, and explore real molecules..
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This page shows only real posts from real people, so it starts empty. The guide below has the questions people most often have about the Molecule Shapes (VSEPR). Pick one to start a thread, or write your own.
From the tool guide: common questions about Molecule Shapes (VSEPR)
The items below are not posts by community members. They come from the written guide for this tool and are here to get a conversation started. Use “Ask a follow-up” to open a thread about any of them.
What does VSEPR stand for?
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion. Electron groups around a central atom repel each other, which sets the shape of the molecule.
From the tool guide Ask a follow-upWhy is water bent and not linear?
Oxygen has two bonds and two lone pairs. The four groups arrange tetrahedrally, so the two atoms form a bent shape of about 104.5°.
From the tool guide Ask a follow-upKey ideas
- Electron groups repel each other and spread as far apart as possible.
- Lone pairs take up more room than bonds and squeeze the bond angles.
- Molecular shape is named by the atoms only, while electron geometry counts lone pairs too.
Things to try
- Drag two single bonds in, then add two lone pairs. What shape do you get?
- Turn on Show Bond Angles and Molecule Geometry, then add a lone pair to CH4-like models and watch the angles shrink.
- Switch to Real Molecules and compare H2O, NH3 and CH4. All are tetrahedral electron geometry with different shapes.
- Can you build a square planar molecule? Hint: four bonds and two lone pairs.
Where this is used
Molecular shape controls how enzymes work, how drugs fit receptors, why water is polar, and how materials behave.
How to ask a question people can answer
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- Say what you tried. List the steps you followed and any settings you changed, so replies do not repeat what you already did.
- Share a small example. A short sample input and the output you saw is worth more than a long description. Remove anything private first.
- Mention your setup. Your device, browser and whether you are on a phone or a computer can explain many odd results.
- One question per thread. Separate topics get clearer answers and are easier to find later with the search box above.
- Come back and reply. If a suggestion worked, say so and upvote it, and if you found the fix yourself, post it for the next person.
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