What is the geometric molecular shape of a water molecule () predicted by VSEPR theory?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Bent
- Step 1: Count valence electron pairs on the central oxygen atom: oxygen has 6 valence electrons, forming 2 single bonds with hydrogens and retaining 2 lone pairs (steric number = 4).
- Step 2: While electron-pair geometry is tetrahedral, lone pair-lone pair repulsion compresses the bond angle to , giving a molecular shape classified as bent.
Answer
Bent.
Why not the others: 'Linear' applies to molecules with steric number 2 (like ); 'Trigonal planar' applies to steric number 3 (like ); 'Tetrahedral' is the electron geometry, not the molecular geometry.
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