In the water molecule, the h-o-h bond angle is 105º. which distribution of electrons around the central atom provides the best explanation for this bond angle?

4 shared pairs
2 shared pairs, 2 lone pairs
1 shared pair, 3 lone pairs
3 shared pairs, 1 lone pair

The correct option is: 2 shared pairs, 2 lone pairs

Explanation:

Water is an inorganic molecule that is composed of one central oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms bonded by covalent bonds. The molecular formula of water is H₂O and the bond angle is 109.47°.

The oxygen is sp³ hybridized and there are two bond (or shared) pairs and two lone pairs of electrons in a water molecule. The structure of H₂O is bent due to the repulsive forces between the lone pairs of electrons.

Due to these repulsive forces, the H-O-H bond angle decreases from 109.47°, which is the ideal bond angle to 104.45°.