7th edition 2E. 21

[Alyssa Bryan 3F]

For part d of the question where it asks for the Lewis structure and bond angle N2H4, the book gives the exact bond angle of 107. I know in class Dr. Lavelle said for trigonal pyramidal structures we only have to know that the angle is less than 109.5, so for our answer would it be okay to say less than 109.5 and not give the exact angle even though that is what the book says?

[Michael Torres 4I]

I think it would be good to know the exact angles of the trigonal pyramidal structure. However, saying less than 109.5 should probably suffice if you don't know it since Lavelle already said we don't need to know the specific value.

[Jessica Helfond 2F]

It's not necessary for us to know the exact angle, I think it was just a specific example to show us the proof that the bond length was less. As long as you know it's less than 109.5, you should be good.

[Anna O 2C]

Test questions, unless given experimental data to permit exact bond angles, will generally accept "less than 109.5" because, without an experiment, one can't really know the extent to which the lone pairs can alter the position of the bonded atoms because there isn't a calculation to tell us that.

[Anjali 4A]

Dr. Lavelle said he does not expect us to know the specific bond angles, and on exams he will accept answers 'less than'.