In this exercise, the basics of Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion
(VSEPR) will be reviewed and the structures constructed using this approach will be
visualized in three dimensions. Students will build molecules with geometries such as
linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, square planar, and octahedral.
Students will identify the hybridizations of the various molecules constructed in the
molecular modeling program. Students will utilize semiempirical methods to calculate
the dipole moments of the molecular species constructed.
Keywords: Geometry, VSEPR theory, hybridization, molecular modeling,
semiempirical methods, dipole moment.
