What shape does a molecule with three atoms typically exhibit?

When examining the shape of a molecule with three atoms, it is essential to consider the arrangement of the atoms based on their bonding and the presence of lone pairs. In a molecule with three atoms connected by chemical bonds, the most common geometric arrangements include those exhibiting linear or trigonal planar shapes.

The correct answer, which identifies the molecule's shape as angular, implies that one of the atoms is typically a central atom bonded to two other atoms, with a bent shape due to lone pairs of electrons. This shape occurs notably in molecules like water (H₂O), where the central oxygen atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms while possessing two lone pairs. The presence of these lone pairs pushes the bonded atoms closer together, resulting in a distinct angle between the bonds, forming a bent or angular shape.

Linear shapes usually occur in diatomic molecules or in cases where three atoms are collinear, typically seen in simple examples where there are no lone pairs impacting the geometry. The trigonal planar shape, on the other hand, forms when a central atom is bonded to three other atoms without lone pairs, leading to a flat 120-degree arrangement. Tetrahedral shapes arise when there are four bonds around a central atom, resulting in a three-dimensional arrangement.

Thus,