Here's why:

* Structure: NO₂ has a bent or V-shaped molecular geometry.

* Hybridization: The central nitrogen atom undergoes sp² hybridization, which results in three hybrid orbitals.

* Lone Pair: The nitrogen atom has one lone pair of electrons that repels the bonding electron pairs, causing the bond angle to be slightly less than the ideal 120 degrees of a trigonal planar geometry.

The exact bond angle is slightly influenced by the resonance structures of NO₂ and the interaction of the lone pair with the π system, but it generally remains around 134 degrees.