Molecular Structure of Water (H₂O)

Using and combination skills for drawing Lewis structures and VSEPR Theory (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory) the a good estimate of the molecular structure of water can be determined.

H₂O has eight valance electrons distributed throughout its structure. There is a single bond (made up of two electron) shared between each hydrogen and the oxygen atom (the central atom). There are 2 lone pairs of electrons (not shown) in two of oxygen's atomic orbital's.

The central atom has sp³ hybridization.
There is a bond angle of 104.5^o (a bit smaller than the anticipated 109.5^o.
The geometry of electrons surrounding the central atoms is tetrahedral.
The molecular structure is bent or angular.

The above Flash animation was produced by chemist and instructional designer Christopher T. Jones.