Final answer:
The S-H bond lengths in dihydrogen sulfide (H2S) are longer than the O-H bond lengths in water (H2O) because sulfur (S) atoms are larger than oxygen (O) atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The S-H bond lengths in dihydrogen sulfide (H2S) are longer than the O-H bond lengths in water (H2O) because sulfur (S) atoms are larger than oxygen (O) atoms.
Larger atoms have longer bond lengths because the electrons in the outermost energy level are further from the nucleus and have a larger atomic radius. As a result, the bonding electrons are further apart, resulting in longer bond lengths.
Therefore, the larger size of the sulfur atom compared to the oxygen atom leads to longer S-H bond lengths in dihydrogen sulfide compared to the O-H bond lengths in water.