QQuestionAnatomy and Physiology
QuestionAnatomy and Physiology
Explain why the molecular geometry of water (H^2O) is bent and not linear, despite the oxygen atom having two hydrogen atoms bonded to it.
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Answer
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Step 1:
Understand the concept of molecular geometry and electron arrangement: Molecular geometry is the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule. It's determined by the number of electron pairs (both bonded and unbonded) around the central atom. The shape of a molecule depends on how these electron pairs are arranged.
Step 2:
Examine the electron arrangement in a water molecule: Oxygen (O) is the central atom in a water molecule, and it has six electrons in its outer shell. Two of these electrons are involved in bonding with hydrogen (H) atoms, while the remaining four electrons are unbonded.
Step 3:
Apply the valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory: VSEPR theory states that electron pairs around an atom will arrange themselves in such a way that minimizes repulsion between them. In the case of water, the two bonded electron pairs (one from each O-H bond) and the two lone pairs of electrons around the oxygen atom will repel each other.
Step 4:
Determine the molecular geometry: Since there are four electron pairs around the central oxygen atom, the molecular geometry is determined by the tetrahedral arrangement of these electron pairs. However, because the lone pairs are closer to the central atom than the bonded pairs, they occupy more space. This causes the bonded pairs to be pushed closer together, resulting in a bent or V-shaped molecular geometry.
Step 5:
Summarize the explanation: The molecular geometry of water (H^2O) is bent and not linear because of the presence of two lone pairs of electrons on the central oxygen atom. These lone pairs occupy more space and cause the bonded electron pairs (O-H bonds) to move closer together, creating a bent molecular geometry.
Final Answer
The molecular geometry of water (H^2O) is bent (V-shaped) due to the presence of two lone pairs of electrons on the central oxygen atom, which causes the bonded electron pairs to move closer together and repel each other more strongly.
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