What is the bond angle in formaldehyde (CH₂O)?*

The bond angle in formaldehyde (CH₂O) is approximately 120 degrees. This is because formaldehyde has a trigonal planar molecular geometry. Here are the steps to determine this:

1. Draw the Lewis structure of formaldehyde. The central atom is carbon, which forms double bonds with the oxygen atom and single bonds with the two hydrogen atoms.

2. Determine the electron domain geometry. The carbon atom in formaldehyde has three electron domains: one from the double bond with oxygen and two from the single bonds with hydrogen. According to the VSEPR theory, three electron domains result in a trigonal planar electron domain geometry.

3. Determine the molecular geometry. The molecular geometry is also trigonal planar because there are no lone pairs of electrons on the central atom.

4. Determine the bond angle. The bond angle in a molecule with a trigonal planar geometry is approximately 120 degrees.

The bond angle in formaldehyde (CH₂O) is approximately 120 degrees. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. Identify the central atom: In formaldehyde, the central atom is Carbon (C).

2. Determine the electron geometry: Carbon has three atoms attached to it and no lone pairs of electrons, making the electron geometry trigonal planar.

3. Determine the molecular geometry: Since there are no lone pairs on the central atom, the molecular geometry is also trigonal planar.

4. Determine the bond angle: The bond angle for a molecule with a trigonal planar geometry is approximately 120 degrees.