Chemistry

Question Analysis
This question tests the student's understanding of the effect of lone pairs on the bond angles in a molecule, as predicted by VSEPR theory.

Key Concept Explanation
According to VSEPR theory, all electron pairs repel each other, but not all repulsions are equal: Lone pair–lone pair > lone pair–bonding pair > bonding pair–bonding pair.
Because lone pairs are not shared between atoms, they occupy more space and exert stronger repulsive forces than bonding pairs.

Option Analysis
1. Recall the effect of lone pairs on the repulsion between electron pairs: Lone pairs repel other electron pairs more strongly than bonding pairs do. This stronger repulsion causes the bonding pairs to be pushed closer together, decreasing the bond angles. Therefore, the correct answer is B.
2. The other optio...