Question

Based on the bond angles in CH4, NH3, and H2O, rank the magnitude of these repulsions. Rank from strongest to weakest repulsion. To rank items as equivalent, overlap them. View Available Hint(s)

Answer 1

H2O> NH3>CH4

Step-by-step explanation:

Now let us look at the issue of the approximate bond angles of each specie;

H2O- 104°

NH3 - 107°

CH4 - 109°

We can see that both species are based on a tetrahedron on the basis of electron pair geometry. How ever, we must also remember that lone pairs cause more repulsion around the central metal atom atom and distort the bond angles. Thus, in the presence of lone pairs, molecules depart from the expected shape predicted by valence shell electron pair repulsion theory. Hence, the repulsion of lone pairs in water (2 lone pairs) is greater than the repulsion in ammonia (1 lone pair) and repulsion in ammonia is greater than the repulsion in methane (no lone pair).