VSEPR Worksheet
W 318
1)
Briefly describe the primary ideas behind VSEPR theory.
2)
For each of the following compounds, a Lewis structure, determine the bond
angles and molecular shapes for all atoms:
a) BI3
b) CH4
c)
NF3
d) C2H2
Everett Community College Tutoring Center
Student Support Services Program
1)
2)
a)
Electrons are negatively charged and like repels like so the atoms in a
molecule will likely be as far away from each other as possible.
BI3
120 o
..
..
I
..
..
B
I
..
..
..
120 o
..
I
..
b)
CH4
120 o
trigonal planar
H
109.5 o
H C H
109.5 o
H
c)
tetrahedral
NF3
107.5 o
d)
F
..
..
..
107.5 o
..
..
..
..
F
.. ..
F
N ..
107.5 o
C2H2
180 o
H C C H
trigonal pyramidal