Question

what is the vsepr geometry of the particle? trigonal planar tetrahedral bent trigonal pyramidal

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the steric number

The steric number is calculated as the sum of the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs around the central atom. For \(H_2O\), the central atom is \(O\). \(O\) has 2 bonding pairs (with \(H\) atoms) and 2 lone pairs. So the steric number \(= 2 + 2=4\).

Step2: Use VSEPR rules

According to VSEPR theory, when the steric number is 4, if there are 2 lone pairs, the molecular geometry is bent. The electron - pair geometry is tetrahedral (based on steric number 4), but the molecular geometry (considering only the positions of atoms) is bent due to the repulsion from the lone pairs.

Answer:

bent