According to the VSEPR theory, what is the molecular shape of #H_2O#?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 29, 2016

The 4 electron pairs around the central oxygen atom are a tetrahedron to a first approximation.

Explanation:

Around oxygen there are 2 lone pairs, and 2 #O-H# bonding pairs, arranged in a tetrahedron. But we describe molecular geometry on the basis of disposition of atoms not electron pairs. Water is a bent molecule with the #/_H-O-H# bent down from #109.5""^@#, because of the influence of the oxygen lone pairs; #/_H-O-H# approx #104-105""^@#.

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