Answer: The smallest bond angle in the molecule x-y-x is [tex]180^0[/tex]
Explanation:
According to VSEPR theory , each atom in a molecule will achieve a geometry that minimizes the repulsion between electrons in the valence shell of that atom.
In the given compound [tex]x-y-x[/tex], the number of electron pairs is 2 that means the hybridization will be [tex]sp^2[/tex] and geometry of the molecule will be linear as there are two bond pairs .The bond angle for linear geometry is 180° which reduces the electron electron repulsions and maximise stability.
