Linear
Two bonding regions stay opposite each other at 180 degrees.
A
AX2
180 deg
Example: BeCl2
Electron pairs arrange to maximize separation.
VSEPR Charts
Animated geometry charts for quick revision. Each chart shows the central atom, bonded atoms, lone pairs, and the resulting molecular shape under VSEPR theory.
Trigonal Planar
Three bonding pairs spread into one plane with 120 degree angles.
A
AX3
120 deg
Example: BF3
Equal repulsion gives a flat triangular layout.
Tetrahedral
Four bonding pairs move apart evenly around the central atom.
A
AX4
109.5 deg
Example: CH4
All bond pairs are equivalent in a tetrahedral arrangement.
Trigonal Bipyramidal
Five bonding regions arrange into three equatorial positions and two axial positions.
A
AX5
90 deg and 120 deg
Example: PCl5
Three equatorial bonds reduce repulsion more effectively than five planar bonds.
Octahedral
Six bonding regions point to the corners of an octahedron around the central atom.
A
AX6
90 deg
Example: SF6
All six bond pairs are equivalent and arranged symmetrically.
Trigonal Pyramidal
One lone pair pushes the three bond pairs downward from tetrahedral arrangement.
A
AX3E
about 107 deg
Example: NH3
Lone pair repulsion is stronger than bond-pair repulsion.
Bent
Two lone pairs take more space and compress the bond angle further.
A
AX2E2
about 104.5 deg
Example: H2O
LP-LP > LP-BP > BP-BP
See-Saw
One equatorial lone pair distorts trigonal bipyramidal electron geometry.
A
AX4E
distorted
Example: SF4
The lone pair occupies an equatorial position to reduce repulsion.
How To Read The Chart
Blue nodes show bonded atoms, the red sphere is the central atom, and orange dot pairs represent lone pairs. The JavaScript animation gently shifts the bonded atoms to make repulsion easier to see at a glance, including the 5-bond trigonal bipyramidal and 6-bond octahedral cases.