Question

The effect of repulsion between the two lone pairs of electrons present on oxygen in water molecule is a:

• A. no Change in $H-O-H$ bond angle
• B. decrease in $H-O-H$ bond angle
• C. increase in $H--O-H$ bond angle
• D. all atoms will be in one plane

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

decrease in $H-O-H$ bond angle

In water molecule, if there are no lone pairs on oxygen molecule, it will be linear, but due to lp-lp repulsions, $O-H$ bonds will bend down. Thus, $H-O-H$ bond angle decreases.