Question

Why do you think a water molecule is bent and not linear?

Answer 1

VSEPR theory tells us water has a bent shape.

Explanation:

The central oxygen atom has four pairs of electrons. Two pairs are shared in single covalent bonds with hydrogen atoms. The other two pairs are not shared with any other atom (non-bonding pair).

Water has an AXE designation of `AX_2E_2` - this is why it has a bent shape.

![https://useruploads.socratic.org/Ycvk9geOQD2biPjJ2fqh_water_lewis.jpg)