How to predict the bond angle and shape of a molecule of NH3

An atom of nitrogen has 5 valence electrons in its outer shell. Each hydrogen atom in ammonia bonds to the central nitrogen atom and contributes an electron each. This means there are 8 electrons in total on the central nitrogen in ammonia. Each NH bond is a pair of electrons therefore the existence of 3 NH bonds in ammonia means that 6 of these 8 electrons are involved in bonding leaving a lone pair of electrons. These 3 bonding pairs and one lone pair of electrons arrange themselves are far apart as possible to minimise repulsion and so they arrange themselves in a tetrahedral. The angles between each bond is less that 109.5 because there is greater repulsion from the lone par - it pushes the bonds closer to one another.

DP

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

A naturally occurring sample of the element boron has a relative atomic mass of 10.8 In this sample, boron exists as two isotopes. Calculate the percentage abundance of 10B in this naturally occurring sample of boron.


Why does the First Ionisation Energy decrease down a group in the Periodic Table?


Compare the structures of Diamond and Graphite, making references to the bonding, the shape of the structures, and location of the electrons within the structures. Account for the fact that graphite conducts electricity and diamond does not.


Why is the boiling point of water significantly greater than that of other group 6 (16) hydrides?