Figuring Out the Shape of Molecules

[Tclack]

How do you figure out what the shape of molecules are.

For example, Water. 1 part oxygen and 2 parts hydrogen with 104.45 degrees between the two hydrogen. That's what I want to figure out. I imagine it has something to do with the electrostatic force.

 

[Borek]

To some extent electrostatic force is involved, but it is more about sp³ hybridisation in this particular case.

Check out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VSEPR

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_hybridisation

as a starting point.

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