Question

how will electron pairs behave towards one another according to vsepr?
a electron pairs are not affected by other electron pairs.
b they will be oriented close to each other.
c they will arrange themselves to be far apart from each other.
d the effect depends on the electronegativity of the atoms involved.

Explanation:

The VSEPR (Valence - Shell Electron - Pair Repulsion) theory states that electron pairs (both bonding and non - bonding) around a central atom will arrange themselves to be as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion.

• Option a: Electron pairs are affected by other electron pairs (due to electrostatic repulsion), so this option is incorrect.
• Option b: If they were oriented close to each other, the repulsion would be high, which is against the VSEPR principle. So this option is incorrect.
• Option c: This is in line with the VSEPR theory as electron pairs arrange to be far apart to reduce repulsion.
• Option d: The basic VSEPR principle of electron - pair arrangement is not directly dependent on the electronegativity of atoms (while electronegativity can affect bond angles in some cases, the fundamental arrangement of electron pairs is about minimizing repulsion, not electronegativity). So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

C. They will arrange themselves to be far apart from each other.