Explain why the bond angle of nh3 is less than that of ch4 although both are sp3 hybridised
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All three molecules have four pairs of electrons around their central atom.
As a result, they all have a tetrahedral arrangment of electron pairs around the central atom.
The bond angle in methane, CH4, is the tetrahedral angle, i.e. 109.5º (109º 28').
Ammonia, NH3, contains a lone pair of electrons, which repels the bonding electrons to give a bond angle of 107º. The atoms have a trigonal pyramidal arrangement.
Water, H2O, contains two lone pairs of electrons, which repel each other as well as the bonding electrons, to give a bond angle of 104.5º. The atoms have a bent line arrangement.
The lone pairs of electrons show up as a small ball on these models. The molecules are animated, but if you want to stop them, right-click to bring up the menu and deselect Animate. Try using the left mouse button to turn the models around in different directions.
As a result, they all have a tetrahedral arrangment of electron pairs around the central atom.
The bond angle in methane, CH4, is the tetrahedral angle, i.e. 109.5º (109º 28').
Ammonia, NH3, contains a lone pair of electrons, which repels the bonding electrons to give a bond angle of 107º. The atoms have a trigonal pyramidal arrangement.
Water, H2O, contains two lone pairs of electrons, which repel each other as well as the bonding electrons, to give a bond angle of 104.5º. The atoms have a bent line arrangement.
The lone pairs of electrons show up as a small ball on these models. The molecules are animated, but if you want to stop them, right-click to bring up the menu and deselect Animate. Try using the left mouse button to turn the models around in different directions.
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