Question
Question: What does VSEPR mean?...
What does VSEPR mean?
Solution
VSEPR theory is basically used to predict the geometry of molecules this theory assumes that each atom in a molecule will achieve a geometry that minimizes the repulsion between electrons in the valence shell of that atom.
Complete answer:
Mainly VSEPR theory tells us about the bonding and molecular geometry of organic molecules and polyatomic ions. It predicts the 3-D shape of the molecule and it can predict the shape of nearly all compounds.
VSEPR is the abbreviation of Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory. This theory is basically based on the concept that there is repulsion between the pairs of valence electrons where valence electrons are those electrons which are present in the outermost shell of electron and this theory was presented by Sidgwick and Powell in 1940. This theory is generally based on the assumption that the molecule will take that shape in which electronic repulsion in the valence shell of that atom is minimized.
The shape of the molecule in case of VSEPR theory is determined by the number of valence electrons present. This theory can also be applied to the resonance structure of a molecule.
Hence according to chemistry VSEPR means Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory.
Note:
Rather than advantages there are some limitations also which are noted in VSEPR theory the main one is it fails to explain isoelectronic species where isoelectronic means those substances which have the same number of electrons and this can vary in shape.