Which of the following best describes the bond angle in a water molecule?

Which of the following best describes the bond angle in a water molecule?

Step 1: Understand that a water molecule (H2O) has one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms.
Step 2: Know that the oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons that are not involved in bonding.
Step 3: Recognize that these lone pairs repel the hydrogen atoms, affecting the shape of the molecule.
Step 4: Learn that the ideal bond angle for a molecule with no lone pairs is 109.5 degrees (tetrahedral shape).
Step 5: Realize that the presence of the two lone pairs pushes the hydrogen atoms closer together, reducing the bond angle.
Step 6: Conclude that the bond angle in a water molecule is approximately 104.5 degrees due to this repulsion.

No concepts available.