The minimum bond angle in hydrides of group 16 elements is in:

Options

A. `H_2O`
B. `H_2Te`
C. `H_2Se`
D. `H_2S`

Answer

To determine the minimum bond angle in the hydrides of group 16 elements (which include H2O, H2S, H2Se, and H2Te), we can analyze the molecular geometry and the factors affecting bond angles in these compounds.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Group 16 Hydrides**: The hydrides of group 16 elements are H2O (water), H2S (hydrogen sulfide), H2Se (hydrogen selenide), and H2Te (hydrogen telluride).

2. **Understand the Molecular Geometry**:
- H2O has a bent shape due to the two lone pairs on oxygen.
- H2S, H2Se, and H2Te also have bent shapes, but the angles differ due to the increasing size and decreasing electronegativity of the central atom as we move down the group.

3. **Analyze Bond Angles**:
- In H2O, the bond angle is approximately 104.5° due to strong lone pair-bond pair repulsion.
- In H2S, the bond angle decreases to about 92° because the lone pair-bond pair repulsion is less significant than in H2O.
- H2Se has a bond angle slightly less than H2S, and H2Te has an even smaller bond angle due to the larger atomic size and lesser electronegativity.

4. **Determine the Minimum Bond Angle**:
- As we move down the group from oxygen to tellurium, the bond angles decrease.
- H2Te will have the smallest bond angle due to the larger size of tellurium and the resultant decrease in bond pair-bond pair repulsion.

5. **Conclusion**: The minimum bond angle in the hydrides of group 16 elements is found in H2Te, which can be approximated to around 90°.

### Final Answer:
The minimum bond angle in the hydrides of group 16 elements is in H2Te, approximately 90°.