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Electrons are particles containing a negative charge and as such repel each other. The chemical bonds themselves contain electrons, and because of the repulsive effect of the particles find themselves to assume the position that distances the electrons from eachother as much as possible. For example an atom with 3 bonding domains and no lone pairs can distribute the bonds at 120 degrees from each other, the greatest distance possible between them.

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11y ago

The electron pairs "repel" one another. These pairs can be bonding pairs or lone pairs. This is the basis of VSEPR theory. To a first appoximation the molecular shapes caused by different numbers of electron pairs pairs are (ignoring the greater strength of lone pair - bonded pair repulsions) :-

2 linear

3 trigonal

4 tetrahedral

5 trigomal bipyramid

6 octahedral

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Q: How does the number of electron pairs around a central atom determine its shape?
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