Bond angle

Bond Angle

A bond angle is the angle formed between three atoms across at least two bonds. It is a crucial parameter in determining the shape and size of molecules. The bond angle can vary depending on the molecule's size, shape, and the atoms' electronegativity.

Overview

The bond angle is a measure of the actual angle between two adjacent bonds. It is usually measured in degrees. The bond angle can be determined using the molecular geometry and VSEPR theory, which predicts the three-dimensional shape of molecules.

Factors Affecting Bond Angle

Several factors can affect the bond angle in a molecule. These include:

• Electronegativity: The bond angle can be influenced by the electronegativity of the atoms involved. Atoms with higher electronegativity tend to pull electron density towards themselves, which can decrease the bond angle.

• Lone pair of electrons: Lone pairs of electrons can also affect the bond angle. They occupy more space than bonding pairs, leading to a decrease in the bond angle.

• Atomic size: Larger atoms tend to have larger bond angles due to the increased distance between the electron clouds.

Examples of Bond Angles

Some common examples of bond angles include:

• The bond angle in a water molecule (H2O) is approximately 104.5 degrees.
• In methane (CH4), the bond angle is 109.5 degrees.
• The bond angle in carbon dioxide (CO2) is 180 degrees.

See Also

• Molecular geometry
• VSEPR theory
• Electronegativity
• Lone pair
• Atomic size