What is the shape of the ammonia (NH3) molecule?

Practice Questions

Q1
What is the shape of the ammonia (NH3) molecule?
  1. Linear
  2. Trigonal planar
  3. Tetrahedral
  4. Trigonal pyramidal

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

What is the shape of the ammonia (NH3) molecule?
  • Step 1: Understand that ammonia is a molecule made of one nitrogen atom (N) and three hydrogen atoms (H).
  • Step 2: Recognize that nitrogen has five valence electrons and forms three bonds with the three hydrogen atoms.
  • Step 3: Note that nitrogen has one lone pair of electrons that is not involved in bonding.
  • Step 4: Visualize the arrangement of the atoms: the three hydrogen atoms form a base, and the lone pair pushes the hydrogen atoms down.
  • Step 5: Conclude that this arrangement creates a trigonal pyramidal shape, where the nitrogen is at the top and the hydrogen atoms form the base.
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