CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

Hi, can anyone help me understand 2F.15 from the 7th Edition.

Question: Noting that the bond angle of a sp^3 hybridized atom is 109.5 degrees and that of an sp^2 hybridized atom is 120 degrees, do you expect the bond angle between two hybrid orbitals to increases or decrease as the s-character of the hybrids is increased?

Answer: As the s-character of a hybrid orbital increase, the bond angle increases.

I do not understand why this is the answer to the question. Can someone please explain.

sp hybrid orbitals are 50% s with 180 bond angle.

sp2 hybrid orbitals are 33% s with 120 bond angle.

sp3 hybrid orbitals are 25% s with 109.5 bond angle.

This is not something I discuss in class but it is a straight forward trend.