Question

what is the shape of water? which statement gives the correct molecular geometry?
linear
bent
trigonal planar
tetraheral

Explanation:

The molecular formula of water is \(H_2O\). In \(H_2O\), the central atom is oxygen (\(O\)). Oxygen has 6 valence electrons. It forms two single bonds with two hydrogen (\(H\)) atoms. After forming bonds, there are two lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen atom. According to the VSEPR (Valence - Shell Electron - Pair Repulsion) theory, the electron - pair geometry around the oxygen atom is tetrahedral (due to 2 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs). But the molecular geometry (which only considers the arrangement of atoms) is bent because the lone pairs repel the bonding pairs more strongly, causing the \(H - O - H\) bond angle to be less than \(109.5^{\circ}\) (the tetrahedral bond angle).

Answer:

bent