Although geometries of NH3 and H2O molecules are distorted tetrahedral, bond angle in water is less than that of ammonia. Discuss.

+1 vote
86 views
asked Oct 5, 2017 in Chemistry by jisu zahaan (28,760 points) 26 375 814

Although geometries of NH3 and H2O molecules are distorted tetrahedral, bond angle in water is less than that of ammonia. Discuss. 

1 Answer

+1 vote
answered Oct 5, 2017 by sforrest072 (157,439 points) 61 410 942
selected Oct 5, 2017 by sanjeev
 
Best answer

The molecular geometry of NH3 and H2O can be shown as: 

The central atom (N) in NH3 has one lone pair and there are three bond pairs. In H2O, there are two lone pairs and two bond pairs. The two lone pairs present in the oxygen atom of H2O molecule repels the two bond pairs. This repulsion is stronger than the repulsion between the lone pair and the three bond pairs on the nitrogen atom. Since the repulsions on the bond pairs in H2O molecule are greater than that in NH3, the bond angle in water is less than that of ammonia. 

Welcome to Sarthaks eConnect: A unique platform where students can interact with teachers/experts/students to get solutions to their queries. Students (upto class 10+2) preparing for All Government Exams, CBSE Board Exam, ICSE Board Exam, State Board Exam, JEE (Mains+Advance) and NEET can ask questions from any subject and get quick answers by subject teachers/ experts/mentors/students.

One Thought Forever

“There is a close connection between getting up in the world and getting up in the morning.“
– Anon
~~~*****~~~

...