Bond angle of Hydrogen Sulphide

In summary, the bonding angle in hydrogen sulphide is 92 degrees because the S atoms are bonding via electrons in one higher orbital state, causing the hydrogen nuclei to be farther from the sulfur. This allows for the hydrogen atoms to be at a smaller angle from each other. The complex interplay between the wave aspect of the electrons and the spacing of the nuclei makes it difficult to calculate the bond angles with pencil and paper.
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Priyadarshini
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Hydrogen sulphide has the same structure as water. The bonding in water is 104.5 degrees. As both have two bond pairs and two lone pairs of electron, shouldn't the bond angle in hydrogen sulphide be 104.5 degrees? Why is it 92 degrees? Is there anyway one can calculate the bond angles?
Thanks.
 
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The bonding angle will depend significantly on the fact that the S atoms are bonding via electrons in one higher orbital state and so the hydrogen nuclei will be farther from the sulfur. Just thinking about it intuitively this would allow the hydrogen atoms to be at a smaller angle from each other in the sulfide case if their distance from each other didn't significantly change. Picture an isosceles triangle, if you lengthen the equal size you decrease the inner angle.

Remember that the two hydrogen atoms (in water) don't just interact with the central atom but also with each other. Consider also why they have a bonding angle other than 180deg. There's complex interplay in the wave aspect of the electrons as one defines the common orbitals in the bonding of the three atoms. Solving that system is not something you can tackle with pencil and paper. The spacing of the various nuclei will affect how the electrons wavelength gets wrapped around the them so as to match up phases and constitute a stationary state. Then imagine tweaking each spacing as you look for a minimum energy case.
 
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FAQ: Bond angle of Hydrogen Sulphide

1. What is the bond angle of hydrogen sulphide?

The bond angle of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is approximately 92 degrees. This angle is slightly smaller than the ideal tetrahedral angle of 109.5 degrees due to the lone pair of electrons on the sulfur atom that creates repulsion and decreases the bond angle.

2. What factors affect the bond angle of hydrogen sulphide?

The bond angle of hydrogen sulphide can be affected by the presence of lone pairs on the central atom, the electronegativity of the atoms involved, and the size of the atoms. As the lone pairs increase or the electronegativity difference between the atoms increases, the bond angle decreases. Larger atoms also tend to have larger bond angles.

3. How does the bond angle of hydrogen sulphide compare to water?

The bond angle of hydrogen sulphide is smaller than that of water (104.5 degrees) due to the presence of two lone pairs on the sulfur atom, which create more repulsion and decrease the bond angle. In comparison, water has two bonding pairs and two lone pairs, resulting in a slightly larger bond angle.

4. Can the bond angle of hydrogen sulphide be changed?

The bond angle of hydrogen sulphide is largely determined by its molecular geometry and the factors mentioned above. However, it can be slightly altered by changes in temperature and pressure. Higher temperatures and pressures can increase the bond angle due to the increased kinetic energy of the molecules.

5. Why is the bond angle of hydrogen sulphide important?

The bond angle of hydrogen sulphide is important because it affects the molecule's overall shape and properties. For example, the bent shape of H2S gives it a dipole moment, making it polar and allowing it to form hydrogen bonds with other molecules. This is significant in understanding its chemical and physical properties, as well as its role in biological systems.

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