VSEPR Flashcards: Molecular Geometry & Bond Angles
Practice VSEPR shapes, electron geometry, lone pairs, AXE notation, and ideal bond angles with 78 focused English flashcards.
Mayelana naleli qoqo
Practice VSEPR molecular geometry with 78 English flashcards for high-school and introductory-college chemistry. You should already be able to read simple formulas and Lewis structures. This is focused shape prediction and recall, not a complete chemistry course.
Cards map electron-domain counts to electron geometry; AXE notation to molecular shape and, where lone pairs change the shape, to electron geometry; and selected molecular formulas to shape. Separate prompts retrieve ideal bond-angle benchmarks. A few reverse prompts recover AXE notation from a shape plus its domain count. Contrast and error-diagnosis questions distinguish electron geometry from molecular geometry, count multiple bonds correctly, and show why a shape name alone may not determine the domain count or an exact angle.
The 13 cases are AX₂; AX₃ and AX₂E; AX₄, AX₃E, and AX₂E₂; AX₅, AX₄E, AX₃E₂, and AX₂E₃; and AX₆, AX₅E, and AX₄E₂. Later cards cover axial and equatorial sites, usual lone-pair placements, and ideal versus actual angles. The sequence starts with domains and notation, develops two-to-four-domain cases, then interleaves five- and six-domain cases before final comparisons. Related prompts are separated; the review scheduler handles longer-term spacing.
Practice is text based. Diagram identification, exhaustive Lewis-structure construction, formal charges, polarity, radicals, transition-metal coordination, seven-domain cases, hybridization, and molecular-orbital theory are excluded to keep the deck focused. Shape-to-molecule lists and every possible reverse mapping are omitted because many answers would be valid. Numerical species-angle tables are omitted: ideal benchmarks do not give exact measured angles for every molecule.
All cards carry the VSEPR tag. Original questions, answers, organization, and metadata were prepared with AI assistance and checked against university chemistry references. The cover is an original AI-generated illustration of a generic tetrahedral model; its colors do not identify elements. No source prose, diagrams, competitor cards, or examination questions were copied. Common chemical facts are not claimed as proprietary. Original material, including the generated cover to the extent applicable rights exist, is dedicated under CC0 1.0. This is independent study material, with no university, course, or examination endorsement.
Amakhadi akuleli qoqo
Ikhadi 1
Umbuzo
In VSEPR, what is an electron domain around a central atom?
Impendulo
A region of electron density: one bond to a neighboring atom, regardless of bond order, or one lone pair.
Ikhadi 2
Umbuzo
What does the VSEPR model use to predict a central atom’s geometry?
Impendulo
Repulsion between electron domains. The domains favor an arrangement that reduces their mutual repulsion.
Ikhadi 3
Umbuzo
In AXₙEₘ notation, what does A represent?
Impendulo
The central atom whose local geometry is being described.
Ikhadi 4
Umbuzo
How do electron geometry and molecular geometry differ in VSEPR?
Impendulo
Electron geometry includes all electron domains. Molecular geometry describes the arrangement of atoms around the central atom, leaving lone pairs out of the shape name.
Ikhadi 5
Umbuzo
How many VSEPR domains does one triple bond contribute at either bonded atom?
Impendulo
One domain. Three shared electron pairs occupy one bonding direction.
Ikhadi 6
Umbuzo
In AXₙEₘ notation, what does n count?
Impendulo
Atoms directly bonded to the central atom. A double or triple bond still contributes one X.
Ikhadi 7
Umbuzo
For a molecule with several central atoms, where do you apply VSEPR?
Impendulo
At each central atom separately, using its own bonded neighbors and lone pairs.
Ikhadi 8
Umbuzo
In AXₙEₘ notation, what does m count?
Impendulo
Lone pairs on the central atom. E counts pairs, not individual electrons.
Ikhadi 9
Umbuzo
For an AXₙEₘ center in the usual closed-shell VSEPR model, how many electron domains are present?
Impendulo
n + m domains: bonded neighbors plus lone pairs.
Ikhadi 10
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₂, with no lone pairs on A?
Impendulo
Linear. The two bonded atoms lie on opposite sides of the central atom.
Ikhadi 11
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₃, with no lone pairs on A?
Impendulo
Trigonal planar. The central atom and three bonded atoms lie in one plane.
Ikhadi 12
Umbuzo
In an X–A–X bond angle, at which atom is the angle measured?
Impendulo
At A, the central atom, between the two bonds to X atoms.
Ikhadi 13
Umbuzo
Does a lone pair count as one VSEPR domain or two?
Impendulo
One domain. The pair contains two electrons, but it occupies one region around the central atom.
Ikhadi 14
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₄, with no lone pairs on A?
Impendulo
Tetrahedral. The four bonded atoms occupy the corners of a tetrahedron around A.
Ikhadi 15
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₂E?
Impendulo
Bent, also called angular or V-shaped. There are two bonded atoms and one lone pair around A.
Ikhadi 16
Umbuzo
What is the ideal X–A–X bond angle in AX₂ with no lone pairs?
Impendulo
180°.
Ikhadi 17
Umbuzo
What electron geometry does VSEPR assign to three domains around a central atom?
Impendulo
Trigonal planar.
Ikhadi 18
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₃E?
Impendulo
Trigonal pyramidal. Three bonded atoms and one lone pair occupy four electron domains.
Ikhadi 19
Umbuzo
What is the ideal X–A–X bond angle in tetrahedral AX₄?
Impendulo
About 109.5°.
Ikhadi 20
Umbuzo
A central atom has two bonded neighbors and two lone pairs. What is its AXE notation?
Impendulo
AX₂E₂.
Ikhadi 21
Umbuzo
What is the ideal X–A–X bond angle in trigonal planar AX₃?
Impendulo
120°.
Ikhadi 22
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₂E₂?
Impendulo
Bent, also called angular or V-shaped. Two lone pairs occupy the other two domains.
Ikhadi 23
Umbuzo
What is the electron geometry around A in AX₃E?
Impendulo
Tetrahedral: three bonding domains plus one lone-pair domain.
Ikhadi 24
Umbuzo
In O=C=O, how many electron domains surround carbon?
Impendulo
Two domains. Each C=O double bond counts once.
Ikhadi 25
Umbuzo
What is the electron geometry around A in AX₂E?
Impendulo
Trigonal planar: two bonding domains plus one lone-pair domain.
Ikhadi 26
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict around carbon in CH₄?
Impendulo
Tetrahedral. Carbon has four bonded neighbors and no lone pairs.
Ikhadi 27
Umbuzo
A learner counts a double bond as two VSEPR domains. What should they correct?
Impendulo
Count it as one domain. Bond order changes the number of shared electrons, not the number of bonded directions.
Ikhadi 28
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict around nitrogen in NH₃?
Impendulo
Trigonal pyramidal. Nitrogen has three bonded neighbors and one lone pair.
Ikhadi 29
Umbuzo
What electron geometry does VSEPR assign to four domains around a central atom?
Impendulo
Tetrahedral.
Ikhadi 30
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict around oxygen in H₂O?
Impendulo
Bent. Oxygen has two bonded neighbors and two lone pairs.
Ikhadi 31
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict around carbon in the carbonate ion, CO₃²⁻?
Impendulo
Trigonal planar. The three C–O bonding directions give three domains, even when a Lewis structure shows one double bond.
Ikhadi 32
Umbuzo
In the simple VSEPR model, how does a central lone pair usually affect neighboring bond angles?
Impendulo
It tends to compress nearby bond angles because its electron density occupies more space near the central atom. This is a qualitative tendency, not a fixed number of degrees.
Ikhadi 33
Umbuzo
A VSEPR center is trigonal pyramidal with four total domains. What is its AXE notation?
Impendulo
AX₃E: three bonded atoms and one lone pair.
Ikhadi 34
Umbuzo
Which two common AXE cases give a bent molecular shape with three or four total domains?
Impendulo
AX₂E with three domains, and AX₂E₂ with four domains. Their electron geometries differ.
Ikhadi 35
Umbuzo
What electron geometry does VSEPR assign to five domains around a central atom?
Impendulo
Trigonal bipyramidal.
Ikhadi 36
Umbuzo
What electron geometry does VSEPR assign to six domains around a central atom?
Impendulo
Octahedral.
Ikhadi 37
Umbuzo
Does an ideal VSEPR angle give the exact measured angle in every molecule of that shape?
Impendulo
No. It is a geometric benchmark; lone pairs and the bonding environment can change actual angles.
Ikhadi 38
Umbuzo
How many axial and equatorial positions are in a trigonal bipyramid?
Impendulo
Two axial positions and three equatorial positions.
Ikhadi 39
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₅, with no lone pairs on A?
Impendulo
Trigonal bipyramidal.
Ikhadi 40
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₆, with no lone pairs on A?
Impendulo
Octahedral.
Ikhadi 41
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₄E in the usual lowest-repulsion arrangement?
Impendulo
Seesaw. The lone pair occupies an equatorial position in a trigonal-bipyramidal domain arrangement.
Ikhadi 42
Umbuzo
In an ideal trigonal bipyramid, what is the angle between two equatorial bonds?
Impendulo
120°.
Ikhadi 43
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₃E₂ in the usual lowest-repulsion arrangement?
Impendulo
T-shaped. Both lone pairs occupy equatorial positions.
Ikhadi 44
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₅E?
Impendulo
Square pyramidal. One lone pair occupies the sixth position of an octahedral domain arrangement.
Ikhadi 45
Umbuzo
In an ideal trigonal bipyramid, what is the angle between an axial bond and an equatorial bond?
Impendulo
90°.
Ikhadi 46
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₂E₃ in the usual lowest-repulsion arrangement?
Impendulo
Linear. Three equatorial lone pairs leave the two bonded atoms in opposite axial positions.
Ikhadi 47
Umbuzo
VSEPR molecular shape of AX₄E₂ in the usual lowest-repulsion arrangement?
Impendulo
Square planar. Two opposite lone pairs leave four bonded atoms in a square around A.
Ikhadi 48
Umbuzo
In a trigonal-bipyramidal domain arrangement, which sites do lone pairs preferentially occupy?
Impendulo
Equatorial sites, in the usual VSEPR arrangements with one to three lone pairs.
Ikhadi 49
Umbuzo
Which X–A–X angles occur in an ideal octahedral AX₆ molecule?
Impendulo
90° between adjacent bonds and 180° between opposite bonds.
Ikhadi 50
Umbuzo
A VSEPR center has a seesaw shape and five total domains. What is its AXE notation?
Impendulo
AX₄E.
Ikhadi 51
Umbuzo
A VSEPR center has a T-shaped molecular geometry and five total domains. What is its AXE notation?
Impendulo
AX₃E₂.
Ikhadi 52
Umbuzo
In an ideal trigonal bipyramid, what is the angle between its two axial bonds?
Impendulo
180°. The axial positions lie on opposite sides of the central atom.
Ikhadi 53
Umbuzo
A VSEPR center is square pyramidal with six total domains. What is its AXE notation?
Impendulo
AX₅E.
Ikhadi 54
Umbuzo
In the usual octahedral AX₄E₂ arrangement, how are the two lone pairs positioned relative to each other?
Impendulo
Opposite each other, 180° apart in the ideal domain arrangement.
Ikhadi 55
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict for an isolated SF₄ molecule?
Impendulo
Seesaw. Sulfur has four bonded fluorine atoms and one lone pair.
Ikhadi 56
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict for an isolated XeF₂ molecule?
Impendulo
Linear. Xenon has two bonded fluorine atoms and three lone pairs.
Ikhadi 57
Umbuzo
What is the electron geometry around A in AX₃E₂?
Impendulo
Trigonal bipyramidal: three bonding domains plus two lone-pair domains.
Ikhadi 58
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict for an isolated BrF₅ molecule?
Impendulo
Square pyramidal. Bromine has five bonded fluorine atoms and one lone pair.
Ikhadi 59
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict for an isolated XeF₄ molecule?
Impendulo
Square planar. Xenon has four bonded fluorine atoms and two opposite lone pairs.
Ikhadi 60
Umbuzo
What is the electron geometry around A in AX₄E?
Impendulo
Trigonal bipyramidal: four bonding domains plus one lone-pair domain.
Ikhadi 61
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict for an isolated ClF₃ molecule?
Impendulo
T-shaped. Chlorine has three bonded fluorine atoms and two equatorial lone pairs.
Ikhadi 62
Umbuzo
What is the electron geometry around A in AX₅E?
Impendulo
Octahedral: five bonding domains plus one lone-pair domain.
Ikhadi 63
Umbuzo
What is the electron geometry around A in AX₂E₃?
Impendulo
Trigonal bipyramidal: two bonding domains plus three lone-pair domains.
Ikhadi 64
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict for an isolated SF₆ molecule?
Impendulo
Octahedral. Sulfur has six bonded fluorine atoms and no lone pairs.
Ikhadi 65
Umbuzo
Which bond angles occur in an idealized T-shaped AX₃E₂ arrangement?
Impendulo
90° and 180°. These are parent-geometry benchmarks; a real molecule can be distorted.
Ikhadi 66
Umbuzo
What is the electron geometry around A in AX₄E₂?
Impendulo
Octahedral: four bonding domains plus two lone-pair domains.
Ikhadi 67
Umbuzo
Why does an octahedral VSEPR arrangement have six domains despite the name’s reference to eight?
Impendulo
The six domains point toward the six vertices of an octahedron. Eight refers to the solid’s faces.
Ikhadi 68
Umbuzo
Why does a lone pair in AX₄E favor an equatorial site over an axial site?
Impendulo
An equatorial site has two 90° interactions with other domains; an axial site has three. The equatorial choice reduces these close repulsions.
Ikhadi 69
Umbuzo
Which common AXE cases give a linear molecular shape with two or five total domains?
Impendulo
AX₂ with two domains, and AX₂E₃ with five domains. A linear shape alone does not determine the electron geometry.
Ikhadi 70
Umbuzo
Which bond angles occur in an idealized square-pyramidal AX₅E arrangement?
Impendulo
90° and 180°. Actual angles can deviate from these octahedral parent benchmarks.
Ikhadi 71
Umbuzo
A VSEPR center is square planar with six total domains. What is its AXE notation?
Impendulo
AX₄E₂.
Ikhadi 72
Umbuzo
A learner assigns every bent molecule the same bond angle. What information are they missing?
Impendulo
The electron-domain arrangement and the particular molecule. Bent includes AX₂E and AX₂E₂, and actual angles depend on the species.
Ikhadi 73
Umbuzo
A learner calls NH₃ tetrahedral because nitrogen has four domains. What shape distinction resolves the error?
Impendulo
Tetrahedral is its electron geometry. Its molecular geometry is trigonal pyramidal because only the three bonded atoms define that shape.
Ikhadi 74
Umbuzo
Why can four bonded atoms give tetrahedral AX₄ but square planar AX₄E₂?
Impendulo
AX₄ has four total domains. AX₄E₂ has six total domains, with two opposite lone pairs in an octahedral arrangement.
Ikhadi 75
Umbuzo
Which ideal parent angles are the benchmarks for an AX₄E seesaw arrangement?
Impendulo
90°, 120°, and 180° from trigonal-bipyramidal electron geometry. Lone-pair repulsion can distort the actual bond angles.
Ikhadi 76
Umbuzo
What molecular shape does VSEPR predict for an isolated PF₅ molecule?
Impendulo
Trigonal bipyramidal. Phosphorus has five bonded fluorine atoms and no lone pairs.
Ikhadi 77
Umbuzo
What is the electron geometry around A in AX₂E₂?
Impendulo
Tetrahedral: two bonding domains plus two lone-pair domains.
Ikhadi 78
Umbuzo
Which X–A–X bond angles occur in an ideal square-planar AX₄E₂ arrangement?
Impendulo
90° between adjacent bonds and 180° between opposite bonds.
amakhadi angu-78
VSEPR Flashcards: Molecular Geometry & Bond Angles
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