I keep getting “VSEPR theory” questions wrong in Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure. What's the trap?
counting only bonding pairs and ignoring lone pairs.
The usual trap: counting only bonding pairs and ignoring lone pairs. How to avoid it: lone pairs take more room and squeeze bond angles smaller. Go back to the definition — electron pairs around a central atom arrange to be as far apart as possible, fixing the molecule's shape.
Key point
VSEPR theory
Common mistake
counting only bonding pairs and ignoring lone pairs.
Memory tip
lone pairs take more room and squeeze bond angles smaller.
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