2E.1 7th Edition

[Jessica Helfond 2F]

Could someone explain why in part b the solution says it's possible to have lone pairs? If the two atoms have a bond length of 180 degrees, wouldn't the lone pair push them closer together and then the bond length would be less than 180 degrees?

[Ronak Singh]

A molecule is linear if there are 3 unshared pairs around the central atom because the 3 lone pairs occupy a horizontal plane and the two bonding atoms occupy a vertical plane.

[Tessa Lawler 1A]

You could have more than one lone pair that would either balance it out like a square planar molecule or exist on a different access, and therefore not affect the bond angles.