Bond angles are generally smaller than the ideal angles

Lone pairs are localized on the central atom and repel more strongly

Question 1

Which factor most directly causes the bond angle in a molecule to deviate from its ideal value?

Accepted Answer

The presence of lone pairs on the central atom

Question 2

What is the ideal bond angle for a molecule with three electron groups and no lone pairs on the central atom?

Accepted Answer

$120^\circ$

Question 3

In the CH$_4$ molecule, the H–C–H bond angle is $109.5^\circ$. If one hydrogen is replaced by a lone pair, what will happen to the bond angle?

Accepted Answer

It will decrease

Question 4

Which of the following molecules has a bond angle closest to $120^\circ$?

Accepted Answer

SCN$^-$

Question 5

Given the compound SF$_4$, how many electron groups are around the central sulfur atom?

Accepted Answer

5

Question 6

What is the bond angle for the BeCl$_2$ molecule?

Accepted Answer

$180^\circ$

Question 7

Which statement best explains why the H–O–H bond angle in H$_2$O is less than the ideal tetrahedral angle?

Accepted Answer

Lone pairs on oxygen repel more strongly than bonding pairs

Question 8

If a molecule has four electron groups and one lone pair, what is the expected bond angle?

Accepted Answer

Less than $109.5^\circ$

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the electron geometry and bond angle of CO$_2$?

Accepted Answer

Linear, $180^\circ$

Question 10

A molecule has three electron groups: two bonding pairs and one lone pair. What is the molecular shape and approximate bond angle?

Accepted Answer

Bent, $<120^\circ$

Question 11

Which molecule would you expect to have the smallest bond angle?

Accepted Answer

H$_2$O

Question 12

In SF$_4$, what is the bond angle between the equatorial fluorine atoms?

Accepted Answer

$120^\circ$

Question 13

Which of the following is true about bond angles in molecules with lone pairs?

Accepted Answer

Bond angles are generally smaller than the ideal angles

Question 14

A molecule has four electron groups and no lone pairs. What is its electron geometry and bond angle?

Accepted Answer

Tetrahedral, $109.5^\circ$

Question 15

Which of the following compounds has a bond angle closest to $109.5^\circ$?

Accepted Answer

BrCl$_2$

Question 16

If a molecule has two electron groups, what is its ideal bond angle?

Accepted Answer

$180^\circ$

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why lone pairs occupy more space than bonding pairs?

Accepted Answer

Lone pairs are localized on the central atom and repel more strongly

Question 18

What is the bond angle for the Cl–O–Cl bond in the OCl$_2$ molecule?

Accepted Answer

$108.5^\circ$

Question 19

Which of the following molecules has a trigonal planar electron geometry?

Accepted Answer

SCN$^-$

Question 20

A molecule has five electron groups. What is its ideal bond angle between axial and equatorial positions?

Accepted Answer

$90^\circ$

Bond Angles and Molecular Geometry: Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions