Which species has the smaller bond angle, H 3 O + or H 2 O? Explain.

Hi everyone here we have a question asking us between sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, which compound is expected to have a smaller bond angle, So let's draw our leWIS structures of each. So for sulfur dioxide we have sulfur in the middle with one lone pair And double bonded to two oxygen's with three lone pairs. And for sulfur trioxide we have sulfur in the middle, double bonded to three oxygen's, one with 2 lone pairs, And the other two with 3 lone pairs lone pairs on the central atom, pushed the bonds away from it, making the bonds closer together and having smaller angles. Both sulfur central atoms have three electron domains. But due to the lone pair, sulfur dioxide will have the smaller bond angle, and that is our final answer. Thank you for watching. Bye.

Ch.11 - Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, VSEPR & MO Theory

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Tro 6th Edition

Ch.11 - Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, VSEPR & MO Theory

Problem 37

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Chapter 11, Problem 37

Which species has the smaller bond angle, H₃O⁺ or H₂O? Explain.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. It is determined by the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons around the central atom, which influence the shape and angles between bonds. Understanding molecular geometry is crucial for predicting bond angles and the overall structure of molecules.

VSEPR Theory

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory is a model used to predict the geometry of individual molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs. According to VSEPR, electron pairs will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, which directly affects bond angles. This theory helps explain why H3O+ has a different bond angle compared to H2O.

Bond Angles

Bond angles are the angles formed between two adjacent bonds at an atom. They are influenced by the number of lone pairs and bonding pairs of electrons surrounding the atom. In the case of H3O+ and H2O, the presence of an additional hydrogen ion in H3O+ alters the bond angle compared to H2O, leading to a smaller angle due to increased electron repulsion.

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Bond Angles

Related Practice

For each molecular geometry, list the number of total electron groups, the number of bonding groups, and the number of lone pairs on the central atom. (c)

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Textbook Question

Determine the electron geometry, molecular geometry, and idealized bond angles for each molecule. In which cases do you expect deviations from the idealized bond angle?

a. CI4

b. NCl3

c. OF2

d. H2S

Textbook Question

Determine the electron geometry, molecular geometry, and idealized bond angles for each molecule. In which cases do you expect deviations from the idealized bond angle?

a. CS2

b. SCl2

c. CHF3

d. PF3

Textbook Question

Which species has the smaller bond angle, ClO₄^- or ClO₃^- ? Explain.

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Textbook Question

Determine the molecular geometry and sketch each molecule or ion using the bond conventions shown in “Representing Molecular Geometries on Paper” in Section 11.4. c. PCl5

Textbook Question

Determine the molecular geometry and sketch each molecule or ion using the bond conventions shown in “Representing Molecular Geometries on Paper” in Section 11.4. d. BrF5

Which species has the smaller bond angle, H3O+ or H2O? Explain.

Verified Solution

Key Concepts

Molecular Geometry

VSEPR Theory

Bond Angles

Which species has the smaller bond angle, H₃O⁺ or H₂O? Explain.