Question

H-O-H bond angle in $H_{2}O$ is ${104.5}^o$ and not ${109}^o{28}^{\prime }$ because of:

• A. Lone pair-lone pair repulsion
• B. Lone pair-bond pair repulsion
• C. bond pair-bond pair repulsion
• D. High electronegativity of oxygen.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Lone pair-lone pair repulsion

In water molecule, the oxygen atom has extra pair of lone pair electrons which cause slight distortion in bond angle from${109}^{0}28$ to ${104.5}^0$.