VSPER Formula

[Victoria Luu - 1C]

What does the A stand for in the VSPER Formula? What can you use the formula to find out?

[Jeannine 1I]

The VSEPR formula refers to AX(sub n)E(sub m), where A is the central atom, X is the atoms attached to the central atom (so n would be the number of atoms attached), and E refers to electron lone pairs (so m would be the number of lone pairs attached to the central atom). For example, in H20, the VSEPR formula would be AX2E2 since there are two hydrogen atoms and two lone pairs attached to the central oxygen atom.

The VSEPR formula helps you remember the names of the molecular geometry shapes!

[Alexandra Albers 1D]

The AXE structure in VSEPR theory is essentially just a template, so that if you can remember how one molecule with that particular structure looks, you will know the shape of all molecules of that model.

[Sean Reyes 1J]

"A" is simply the notation for the central atom.
"X" stands for the amount of bonded atoms (not bonds total, the amount of atoms attached)
"E" is the number of lone pairs.
For example, the VSEPR formula for CH4 would be AX4 since there are no lone pairs on the carbon and because each hydrogen is bound to the carbon.

[105002507]

A just stands for the central atom!

[Samantha Chang 2K]

A stands for the central atom!

[Helen Mejia 1I]

The A in the VSEPR formula stands for the central atom.

[Ashita Tanwar 3H]

If the AXE formula is a template, does it change/become more specific when referring to a particular molecule? Or will it always be AXE?