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The HOH bond angle in water (≈ 104.5°) is *less* than the ideal tetrahedral angle of 109.5° because:
AThe O–H bonds are very short
BOxygen is sp²-hybridised in water
CThe two lone pairs on oxygen repel the bond pairs more strongly than bond pairs repel each other
DHydrogen bonding distorts the structure
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. The two lone pairs on oxygen repel the bond pairs more strongly than bond pairs repel each other
Water is AB₂E₂ on a tetrahedral frame. **lp–lp > lp–bp > bp–bp** repulsion pushes the two O–H bond pairs closer together, compressing the angle below 109.5°.
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