Question

What is the geometry of water molecule?

• A. distorted tetrahedral
• B. tetrahedral
• C. trigonal planer
• D. diagonal

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

distorted tetrahedral

Answer 2

Geometry of a molecule can be predicted by using the formula

$H=\frac{1}{2}[V E+V-C+A]$

$VE$ = valence shell electrons of the central atom

$Y$ = number of monovalent atom

$C=$ total positive charge

$A=$ total negative charge

In case of $H _{2} O$ molecule,

$H=\frac{1}{2}[6+2-0+0]=4$

Hybridisation of $H _{2} O$ molecule comes out to be $s p^{3} .$ Thus the geometry of $H _{2} O$ molecule is tetrahedral but the shape is distorted tetrahedral or angular due to presence of two lone pair of electrons.