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.
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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