According to valence bond theory,
CH_(4),NH_(3)
, and
H_(2)O
are all hybridized. This hybridization results in a electron group configuration with a bond angle.
NH_(3)
and
H_(2)O
deviate from this idealized bond angle because their lone electron pairs exist in their own
?
orbitals. The presence of lone pairs lowers the tendency for the central atom to hybridize. As a result, the bond angle moves from the hybrid angle toward the unhybridized angle.