The number of lone pairs on the central atom in a water molecule is
Correct answer: C. two
- A. zero
- B. one
- C. two
- D. three
Explanation
Oxygen has six valence electrons, two of which are used in bonding to the hydrogens, leaving two lone pairs. These compress the bond angle from the tetrahedral 109.5 degrees to about 104.5 and make the molecule bent and polar. They are also what allow water to accept two hydrogen bonds.
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About VSEPR Theory
Valence shell electron pair repulsion theory predicts molecular shape by arranging bonding pairs and lone pairs around a central atom to minimize repulsion. Questions cover linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral electron geometries, bond angles and distortions caused by lone pairs. Electron geometry is not always the same as molecular shape.
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