The bond angle in `H_(2)S` is

Options

A. `109^(@)28'`
B. `104^(@)51'`
C. `120^(@)`
D. `92.5^(@)`

Answer

To determine the bond angle in the H₂S molecule, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the central atom
The central atom in H₂S is sulfur (S), which is a group 16 element.

**Hint:** Look for the central atom in the molecule, which is usually the least electronegative element.

### Step 2: Determine the hybridization
Sulfur in H₂S undergoes sp³ hybridization. This is because sulfur has six valence electrons, and in H₂S, it forms two bonds with hydrogen atoms and has two lone pairs of electrons.

**Hint:** Count the total number of electron pairs (bonding and lone pairs) around the central atom to determine the hybridization type.

### Step 3: Visualize the molecular geometry
With sp³ hybridization and two bonding pairs (from the S-H bonds) and two lone pairs, the molecular geometry is bent or V-shaped. The lone pairs will repel the bonding pairs, affecting the bond angle.

**Hint:** Remember that lone pairs occupy more space than bonding pairs, which can compress the bond angles.

### Step 4: Determine the bond angle
The ideal bond angle for a perfect tetrahedral geometry (which sp³ hybridization suggests) is 109.5 degrees. However, due to the presence of two lone pairs in H₂S, the bond angle is reduced to approximately 92.5 degrees.

**Hint:** Consider how lone pairs influence the bond angles compared to the ideal angles in a tetrahedral arrangement.

### Conclusion
The bond angle in H₂S is approximately **92.5 degrees**.

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