Chemistry: The Central Science (13th Edition)

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 0321910419
ISBN 13: 978-0-32191-041-7

Chapter 9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories - Exercises - Page 390: 9.29a

Answer

Both bond angle 1 and 2 are less than 109.5 degrees.

Work Step by Step

Oxygen, the central atom, has two bonded atoms and two lone pairs of electrons, so it has a tetrahedral electron geometry. Because the lone pairs take up slightly more space than the bonded atoms, the bond length is less than 109.5 degrees. Chlorine has one lone pair and three bonded atoms, so it also has a tetrahedral electron geometry. Because it does have a lone pair, its bond angle is also less than 109.5 degrees.
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