How can you determine the shape of water?

Water consists of two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to an oxygen atom, the atoms oxygen has 6 outer shell electrons, and wach hydrogen donates one, this results in the structure having 8 electrons, meaning 4 pairs. two of these are lone pairs as there are only two bonded atoms, and two are bonding pairs. Due to the lone pairs having a stronger repulsion than the bonding pairs, the molecule takes on a bent shape.

JM
Answered by JOSHUA M. Chemistry tutor

2772 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Although carbon dioxide is a linear molecule it is still a greenhouse gas. Explain why that is.


What trends are shown as you go down group 2 of the periodic table?


What is a transition metal complex?


Write a balanced equation for the oxidation of Iron from the 2+ oxidation state to the 3+ oxidation state using the manganate ion.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning