Chapter 10, Problem 69E

Pick the statement that best captures the fundamental idea behind VSEPPR theory. Explain what is wrong with each of the other statements.
a. The angle between two or more bonds is determined primarily by the repulsions between the electrons within those bonds and other (long pair) electrons on the central atom of a molecule. Each of these electron groups (bonding electrons or lone pair electrons) will lower its potential energy by maximizing its separation from other electron groups, thus determining the geometry of the molecule.
b. The angle between two or more bonds is determined primarily by the repulsions between the electrons within those bonds. Each of these bonding electrons will lower its potential energy by maximizing its separation from other electron groups, thus determining the geometry or the molecule.
c. The geometry of a molecule is determined by the shapes of the overlapping orbitals that from the chemical bonds. Therefore, to determine the geometry of a molecule, you must determine the shapes of the orbitals involved in bonding.