Question

How does molecular geometry affect bond angles?

Answer 1

The geometry of molecules depends on the number of atoms present in the molecule and the angles between bonds in the molecule.

For example, molecules `CO_2` and `H_2O` both have three atoms. The angle between bonds is 180° in carbon dioxide making this molecule linear. The angle between bonds in water is 104.5° making water a bent molecule.

The shapes of molecules have important implications. One is that even though both C=O bonds and O-H bonds have dipoles, carbon dioxide molecules are non-polar due to their linear shape and water molecules are polar due to their bent shape.

Here is a video which discusses VSEPR theory and molecular geometry.

Video from: Noel Pauller

Hope this helps!