22
QuizMultiple Choice

Writing and Balancing Chemical Equations

Question 22 • CA-Chemistry A

The angle between the hydrogen atoms in water (H2O) is slightly less than expected for a tetrahedral shape. This is because of the

Answer
A
extra electron repulsion from the lone pairs.
B
atomic radius of the oxygen atom.
C
additional repulsion of the shared electrons.
D
extra repulsion of the hydrogen atoms.

Explanation

Oxygen in water has two bonding pairs and two lone pairs of electrons. Lone pairs repel the bonding pairs more strongly than bonding pairs repel each other, pushing the O–H bonds closer together and making the angle slightly smaller than the tetrahedral angle of 109.5°. So the correct choice is extra electron repulsion from the lone pairs.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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