How do chemists predict the shapes of molecules? Chemists can't predict the shape of molecules, because the attractive forces between valence electrons are unpredictable.

Due to the repulsion between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as close to each other as possible.

Due to the attraction between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as close to each other as possible.

Due to the repulsion between electrons, valence electrons will be arranged as far apart from each other as possible.