Although the geometries of $NH_{3}$ and $H_{2}O$ molecules are based on a distorted tetrahedral arrangement,the bond angle in water is less than that of ammonia. Discuss.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) In $NH_{3}$,the central $N$ atom has one lone pair and three $N-H$ bonding pairs,making it an $AB_{3}E$ type molecule.
In $H_{2}O$,the central $O$ atom has two lone pairs and two $O-H$ bonding pairs,making it an $AB_{2}E_{2}$ type molecule.
According to the $VSEPR$ theory,the order of repulsion is: $lp-lp > lp-bp > bp-bp$.
$H_{2}O$ has two lone pairs on the oxygen atom,which exert strong $lp-lp$ repulsion,pushing the $O-H$ bonds closer together,resulting in a bond angle of $104.5^{\circ}$.
$NH_{3}$ has only one lone pair on the nitrogen atom,which exerts less repulsion compared to the two lone pairs in water,resulting in a bond angle of $107^{\circ}$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Choose the correct statement regarding $SeOCl_2$ molecule.

Difficult
View Solution

If lone pairs of electrons occupy axial positions,then which of the following statements about $ClF_3$ is incorrect?

Which of the following pairs has the same structure?

Molecular bromine on reaction with three moles of molecular fluorine produces an interhalogen compound. The total number of lone pairs at the central halogen atom is

Which among the following species has unequal bond lengths?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo