Practice question · Multiple choice
Which molecular geometry is characterized by a bond angle of ~104.5° due to the strong repulsion of two lone pairs on the central atom?
Hints
- Start from the ideal four-pair arrangement, then let lone pairs compress it.
- Each lone pair squeezes the angle further below the ideal value.
Show the answer
D. Bent (~104.5°)
Why
Two lone pairs push the bonding pairs closer together, compressing the ideal 109.5° tetrahedral angle down to a bent ~104.5°.
Practise Bonding and molecular geometry
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