Question Detail

CHM 102 Electronic Theory in Organic Chemistry Objective Question
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Question

Why is the H-O-H bond angle in water (104.5°) less than the tetrahedral angle (109.5°)?
Options
A Hydrogen bonding
B Lone pair-lone pair repulsion compresses the bond angle
Correct Answer
C Oxygen is too small
D Water has no lone pairs
Correct Answer

Option B is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

Lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs, compressing the H-O-H bond angle from 109.5° to about 104.5°.

Hint

Lone pairs take up more space.

Question Info

Course: CHM 102
Topic: Electronic Theory in Organic Chemistry
Type: Objective
Difficulty: Not specified
Question 714 of 1999
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