Introduction to VSEPR Models Absentee Lab Name: _______________________________________________ Pd____

Chemists use the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory to build models of molecules in order
to predict their 3-D shape, help explain their characteristics, and predict their properties. VSEPR states that a
molecule’s shape will be determined by minimizing repulsion between electron domains. For example, in CH4
there are 4 bonded electron domains around the C atoms that need to be a maximum distance from each other
in order to reduce the electron repulsion. In a Lewis structure, a 2-D picture, each bond would be 90° from each
other; however, in a 3-D situation, the bond angle increases to 109.5° apart, making the electron domains
further apart. This 109.5° electron domain arrangement is the shape of the tetrahedron.
Reading Questions
1. VSEPR stands for the _______________________ Shell ____________________________ Pair
___________________________________ Theory.
2. VSEPR allows for scientists to build ______________________________ of molecules in order to predict their
_________________________________, explain their characteristics, and predict properties.
3. VSEPR states that _______________________ domains will repel one another causing the shape of the
molecule to be determined by minimizing electron _________________________________.
4. A tetrahedron is the basic shape for minimizing repulsion between ____ bonds.
5. The bond angles of a tetrahedron are _____________ degrees apart.
Procedure
1. Complete Lewis structures and names for all of the molecules on the back of this paper.
2. Use the balloon model images A-E below to record the color and the number of balloons into the data table below.

3. Use the molecular model kit images F-J below to record the number of bonding and lone e- pair regions around the
central atom. Use the same patterns as those from the balloon stations A-E to determine the name of the molecular
shape.

# of bonded e- pair Possible molecule – choose

# of lone e- pair domains any 1 of the ten found on the
domains (non-white Total e- backside of this lab. Do not
Station (white balloons) balloons) domains Molecular Shape use any more than once.

B
Step
2 C

# of lone e- pair # of bonded e- pair Total e-

Station domains domains domains Molecular Shape

Step
3 H

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CF4 H2Se NH3 SiS2

Name: Name: Name: Name:

Draw: Draw: Draw: Draw:

e- domains on central atom only e- domains on central atom only e- domains on central atom only e- domains on central atom only
# # # #
# lone # single TOTAL e- # lone # single TOTAL e- # lone # single TOTAL e- # lone # single TOTAL e-
multiple multiple multiple multiple
pairs bonds units pairs bonds units pairs bonds units pairs bonds units
bonds bonds bonds bonds

BBr3 AsH3 CO2 BCl3

Name: Name: Name: Name:

Draw: Draw: Draw: Draw:

e- domains on central atom only e- domains on central atom only e- domains on central atom only e- domains on central atom only
# # # #
# lone # single TOTAL e- # lone # single TOTAL e- # lone # single TOTAL e- # lone # single TOTAL e-
multiple multiple multiple multiple
pairs bonds units pairs bonds units pairs bonds units pairs bonds units
bonds bonds bonds bonds

CCl4 H2 S
Post-Lab
Name: Name: Draw the Lewis structures for the following molecules
and then list their molecular shape.
Draw: Draw: Lewis Structure Molecular Shape
1. BF3

2. Phosphorus triiodide

3. Water
e- domains on central atom only e- domains on central atom only
# #
# lone # single TOTAL e- # lone # single TOTAL e-
multiple multiple
pairs bonds units pairs bonds units
bonds bonds

4. Br2

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