Which of the following possess the most symmetrical structure : a. Water b. Methane c. Ammonia d. Hydrogen Sulphide. Please give the reason as well...
Dear student,
Bond angle differs in H2O, NH3,CH4 and H2S even though they all are sp3 hybridized due to the presence of lone pairs of electrons. The shapes of the molecules are distorted in the presence of lone pairs.
In CH4, four hydrogen atoms are arranges at the corners of regular tetrahedron and the bond angle is 109.5 degrees and has tetrahedral shape. There are no lone pairs o the central carbon atom present in this molecule.It is most symmetrical
In ammonia, there is one lone pair of electrons o nitrogen atom which results in repulsion between bonding and lone pairs and ammonia has a trigonal pyramidal structure with bond angle 107.0 degrees.
Ammonia
In water molecule, there are 2 lone pairs on oxygen atom, which results in repulsion between bonding and lone pairs and water has a bent shape with bond angle 104.5 degrees.
Water
Hydrogen sulphide also has 2 lone pairs and has similar structure like water.
Thus, we can say that methane has the most symmetrical structure.
Regards