Bond angle in NH₃ compared to H₂O:
ALarger in H₂O
BBoth 109.5°
CLarger in NH₃ (~107°) than H₂O (~104.5°)
DEqual
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Larger in NH₃ (~107°) than H₂O (~104.5°)
Lone-pair-bond-pair repulsion > bond-bond. H₂O has 2 lone pairs (more repulsion), pushing H-O-H angle to ~104.5°. NH₃ has 1 lone pair, less squeeze, H-N-H ~107°. Pure tetrahedral would be 109.5°.
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