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- Another result of the VSEPR theory is the
- prediction of the position of lone pairs of
- electrons and bonded pairs of electrons. The
- greatest repulsion between electron pairs
- occurs between lone pairs of electrons. The
- repulsion between a lone pair and a bonded
- pair is less, and the repulsion between two
- bonded pairs is the least of all of the
- combinations. Since the molecule assumes
- a structure that minimizes energy, the
- structure of the molecule must contain
- a minimum of lone pair interactions.
-
- Example:
- Methane contains one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. What is the Lewis structure of the molecule?
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