JCE Online Journal of Chemical Education
 | Subscriptions  | Software Orders  | Support  | Contributors  | Advertisers  | 

JCE Print
   Current Issue
 Previous Issues
 Supplements
 Search JCE Index

JCE Digital Library
   DigiDemos
 QBank
 SymMath
 WebWare

JCE Software
   Latest Releases
 Software & Video
 Downloads
 Support

Only@JCE Online
   JCE Online Store
 JCE HS CLIC
 JCE Discussion Forums
   Biographical Snapshots
 ChemEd Resource Shelf
 Featured Molecules
 Hal's Picks
 Project Chemlab
 Reviewed WWW Sites
 "Web-Ed" Articles

About JCE
   Features
 Publications
 Operations
 Outreach
 Contact Us


  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2004  > March  >
Chemical Education Today
Commentary
Teaching Molecular Geometry with the VSEPR Model
Ronald J. Gillespie
Department of Chemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
Cover
March 2004
Vol. 81 No. 3
p. 298
Abstract
Molecular geometry can be discussed in terms of the VSEPR model at several levels of sophistication—from the empirical model to a more complete model based on the Pauli principle. It is recommended that for most first-year courses VSEPR is presented at the purely empirical level or in the form of the domain version. A more sophisticated version is discussed here, not only because it should be taught in more advanced courses, but because it is important that it is understood by instructors and textbook writers so that incorrect explanations of the VSEPR model are not given. The difficulties associated with the usual treatment of the VB and MO theories in connection with molecular geometry in beginning courses are discussed. It is recommended that the VB and MO theories should be presented only after the VSEPR model either in the general chemistry course or in a following course, particularly in the case of the MO theory, which is not really necessary for the first-year course. The Pauli principle and its importance as the fundamental basis of the VSEPR model should be presented in a higher-level course, such as a quantum mechanics or physical chemistry course, or an inorganic course, in which VSEPR has many applications, for example, in the discussion of noble gas and other high coordination number molecules.
More Information
*  Citation
 Gillespie, Ronald J. J. Chem. Educ. 2004 81 298.
*  Keywords
 Bonding Theory; General Chemistry; Inorganic Chemistry; Molecular Properties / Structure; Theoretical Chemistry; Main-Group Elements
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 February 3, 2004
February 18, 2005
<< Previous Article Table of Contents Next Article >>
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2004 > March > Page 298


Subscriptions
 Subscription Info
 Order Forms

JCE HS CLIC

Our Secondary School editors work hard to distill all the JCE materials to produce a fraction of particular interest to high school teachers. We call it CLIC.
 JCE HS CLIC

Contributions Welcome
JCE welcomes your submission
 Contributors' Corner

Advertisers
In recent years we have worked hard to better match our advertisers with our readers. When shopping for chemistry education materials, visit our advertisers' WWW sites first.
 Recent Advertisers

Be An Ambassador
Take JCE along on your outreach missions. Copies of the Journal, guest access to JCE Online, our publications catalog, and more are available for your participants.
 Outreach with JCE

Comments to
jceonline@chem.wisc.edu		 Copyright © Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society.
All rights reserved.