Can anyone remember the symmetry of water?

[Guest Kether]

I've forgotten and I need to find out for a bet.

 

Cheers.

[BenRW]

yes

[Aaron]

Symmetry of water molecules

The water molecules are rather symmetric in that there are two mirror planes of symmetry, one containing all three atoms and one perpendicular to the plane passing through the bisector of the H-O-H angle. Furthermore, if the molecules are rotated 180° (360°/2) the shape of the molecule is unperturbed. This indicates that the molecules have a 2-fold rotation axis. The three symmetry elements are 2-fold rotation, and two mirror planes. Both mirror planes contain the rotation axis, and this type of symmetry belongs to the point group C2v.

 

O

/ \

H H

 

A point group has a definite number of symmetry elements arranged in certain fashion. Molecules can be classified according to their point groups. Molecules of the same point group have similar spectroscopic characters. Other molecules of C2v point group are CH2=O, CH2Cl2, the bent O3 etc.

 

(Maybe )

Edited July 26, 2004 by Aaron

[squeakage]

Damn it - you beat me to it

 

What Aaran said

 

[Aaron]

Me and U Steph, Brain Boxes of Sussex

[Lisa]

QUOTE (Aaron @ Jul 26 2004, 18:50)

Me and U Steph, Brain Boxes of Sussex

or google experts, take your pick

[Aaron]

QUOTE (Lisa @ Jul 26 2004, 18:54)

QUOTE (Aaron @ Jul 26 2004, 18:50) Me and U Steph, Brain Boxes of Sussex or google experts, take your pick

[Lisa]

[Alex]

Dangerous stuff dihydrogen monoxide!

[LiquidEyes]

QUOTE (Alex @ Jul 26 2004, 21:04)

Dangerous stuff dihydrogen monoxide!

Waddaya want mate? E? K? GHB? H2O?

Edited July 26, 2004 by LiquidEyes

[Alex]

It's claimed the lives of millions.

[BenRW]

QUOTE (Alex @ Jul 26 2004, 21:12)

It's claimed the lives of millions.

[LiquidEyes]

QUOTE (Alex @ Jul 26 2004, 21:12)

It's claimed the lives of millions.

Funny but true!