Why is a water molecule non-linear?
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR) states that lone pairs repel other lone pairs more so than they do bonded pairs. In water, the oxygen atom has two lone pairs. These two lone pairs repel the hydrogen-oxygen bonded pairs so much that the molecule is at its lowest energy arrangement when the H-O-H bond angle is 104.5 degrees. As a result, the water molecule can be classified as non-linear.
HM
Related Chemistry A Level answers
All answers ▸State why it is initially unexpected for alkenes to undergo electrophilic addition with bromine. Explain why this reaction does indeed occur.
What is the difference between ionic and metallic bonding?
Why is the enthalpy of hydration of a chloride ion more negative than that of a bromide ion, using your knowledge of the attractive forces involved.
Which molecule has the highest boiling point: methane, ammonia, water or hydrogen fluoride? Explain why.