Textbook Question
The lactic acid molecule, CH3CH(OH)COOH, gives sour milk its unpleasant, sour taste. e. What are the approximate bond angles around each carbon atom in the molecule?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Bond Angles
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What is the approximate bond angle in an NH_3 (ammonia) molecule?
A
107°
B
90°
C
109.5°
D
120°
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the molecular geometry of NH_3 (ammonia). Ammonia has a central nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one lone pair of electrons.
Determine the electron pair geometry using the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory. With three bonding pairs and one lone pair, the electron pair geometry is tetrahedral.
Recall that the ideal bond angle in a perfect tetrahedral geometry is 109.5°.
Understand that the presence of a lone pair on nitrogen exerts greater repulsion than bonding pairs, which slightly compresses the bond angles between the hydrogen atoms.
Conclude that the bond angle in NH_3 is slightly less than 109.5°, approximately 107°, due to the lone pair-bond pair repulsion.
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