According to the VSEPR model, the progressive decrease in the bond angles in the series of molecules CH4, NH3, and H2O is best a

Question

iren [92.7K]

3 years ago

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According to the VSEPR model, the progressive decrease in the bond angles in the series of molecules CH4, NH3, and H2O is best a

ccounted for by the:_________

Chemistry

1 answer:

Aleonysh [2.5K] · Answer 1 · 2021-11-22T14:06:59+03:00

Answer:

Presence of lone pairs of electrons

Explanation:

According to VSEPR theory, the presence of lone pairs caused increased repulsion of electron pairs on the valence shell of the centeral atom of the molecule. This decreases or distorts the bond angle. The decrease in bond ange depends on the number of lone pairs present on the valence shell of the central atom of the molecule. Ammonia has only one lone pair hence the bond angle is 107°, water has two lone pairs and the bond angle is 104°. Compare this this with the bond angle of 109° in methane which has only bond pairs and no lone pairs.