Which of the following statements best describes the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory?

• A. Atomic orbitals combine to form molecular orbitals that are delocalized over the entire molecule.
• B. Atoms share electrons equally to achieve a stable octet configuration.
• C. Bonding occurs when atomic orbitals overlap to form localized bonds between atoms.
• D. Electron pairs around a central atom arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, determining the molecule's geometry.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that VSEPR theory is used to predict the shape of molecules based on the repulsions between electron pairs around a central atom.
2. Recall that electron pairs, both bonding and lone pairs, repel each other and will arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize this repulsion.
3. Recognize that this arrangement of electron pairs determines the overall geometry of the molecule, such as linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, etc.
4. Note that VSEPR theory focuses on electron pair repulsions rather than the details of atomic orbital overlap or electron sharing.
5. Therefore, the best description of VSEPR theory is that electron pairs around a central atom arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, which in turn determines the molecule's geometry.