Water Molecular Geometry and Bond Angles

A quick explanation of the molecular geometry of H2O (Water) including a description of the H2O bond angles.

Looking at the H2O Lewis structure we can see that there are two atoms attached to the central Oxygen (O) and that there are two lone pairs of electrons (on the central Oxygen).  Based on VSEPR Theory (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory) the electron clouds around these atoms will repel each other.  As a result they will be pushed apart giving the H2O molecule a bent molecular geometry or shape.

For help drawing the H2O Lewis Structure see:
Water Lewis Structure - How to Draw t...

The H2O bond angle will be about 104.5 degrees.

--How to Determine the Molecular Geometry--

1) Draw the Lewis Structure for the compound.
2) Predict how the atoms and lone pairs will spread out when the repel each other.
3) Use a chart based on steric number (like the one in the video) or use the AXN notation to find the molecular shape. This will be determined by the number of atoms and lone pairs attached to the central atom.

Helpful Resources:
• How to Draw Lewis Structures: How to Draw Lewis Structures: Five Ea...
• Molecular Geometry and VSEPR Explained: Molecular Geometry: Rules, Examples, ...
• Molecular Geo App: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/m...

Get more chemistry help at http://www.breslyn.org

Drawing/writing done in InkScape. Screen capture done with Camtasia Studio 4.0. Done on a Dell Dimension laptop computer with a Wacom digital tablet (Bamboo).

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