Among the following orbital bonds, the angle is minimum between
sp³ bonds
pₓ and pᵧ orbitals
H–O–H in water
sp bonds
Correct answer: H–O–H in water
Solution
The bond angle in H–O–H (water) is approximately 104.5°, which is smaller than the angles in sp³ (109.5°), sp (180°), and the 90° angle between pₓ and pᵧ orbitals. This is due to lone pair-bond pair repulsion in water.