VSEPR Molecular Geometry

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion — electron pairs arrange to minimize repulsion

Water (H₂O)

VSEPR theory (Gillespie & Nyholm, 1957): electron pairs — bonding and lone pairs — repel each other and adopt the geometry that minimizes this repulsion. Lone pairs repel more than bonding pairs, distorting ideal angles. Drag to rotate.