In both water and dimethyl ether `(CH_(3)-underset(..)overset(..)O-CH_(3))`, oxygen atoms is central atom, and has the same hybridisation, yet they have different bond angles. Which one has greater bond angle? Give reason.

Explanation

Dimethyl ether has greater bond angle than that of water, however in both the molecules centrla atom oxygen is `sp^(3)` hybridised with two lone pairs. In dimethyl ether, bond anlge is greater `(111.7^(@))` due to the greater repulsive interaction between the two bulky alkyl (methyl) groups than the between two H-atoms.

Actually C of `CH_(3)` group is attached to three H-atoms through `sigma`-bonds. These three C-H bond pair of electrons increases the electronic change density on carbon atom.