Explain the geometry and bond angles in a NH3 molecule

So if we think about a molecule of ammonia, NH3, there are 3 hydrogens, each with 1 electron (as its atomic number is 1) covalently bonded to 1 nitrogen atom with 5 outer shell electrons on it due to its atomic number of 7, but having 2 electrons in its innermost shell. As hydrogen can only ever have 1 bond to/from it, we can say that nitrogen is the central atom with hydrogens around it. As covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons, and there are 3 covalent bonds, nitrogen shares 3 of its 5 outer electrons, 1 each with the 3 hydrogens, and so there are 3 bonding pairs. 5-3=2, so that leaves 1 lone pair of electrons around this centrral nitrogen atom. The valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory states that electron pairs around a central atom will repel so they are as far away as possible. As there are 4 electron pairs around the central nitrogen, you can imagine each spreading out to the 4 corners of a tetrahedron, which would suggest that the bond angle is 109.5 degrees. However, as only 3 of the electron pairs are bonding, there isn't a bond at the 'top' to form a tetrahedron, and the actual shape of NH3 is trigonal pyrimidal. VSEPR theory also states that the lone pair of electrons repels bonding pairs more than bonding-bonding pair repulsion, and so you can imagine the 1 lone pair squeezing the bonding pairs slightly closer together in NH3, which reduces the bond angle by about 2 degrees, making the bond angle 107.5 degrees.

Answered by Anthony L. Chemistry tutor

24625 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

State how you would test a solution for the presence of sulfate ions? Explain, using an ionic equation, what you would expect to observe in the presence of sulfate ions.


In the presence of ultraviolet radiation, cyclohexane reacts with bromine. A mixture of cyclic products are formed, including C6H11Br. Discuss each step of this reaction providing equations to show the mechanism.


Alcohol A has the chemical formula CH3CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)CH3 . Give the IUPAC name for alcohol A.


Flask Q (volume = 1.00 x 103 cm3 ) is filled with ammonia (NH3) at 102 kPa and 300 K. The tap is closed and there is a vacuum in flask P. (Gas constant R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1 ) Calculate the mass of ammonia


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences