Question

according to vsepr theory, the structure of the ammonia molecule, nh₃, is_____. *
trigonal pyramidal
beht
tetrahedral
linear

Explanation:

• For \(NH_3\), the central atom is \(N\).
• The number of valence electrons of \(N\) is \(5\). Each \(H\) provides \(1\) electron. So the total number of electrons around \(N\) is \(5 + 3\times1=8\), which means \(4\) electron pairs (\(\frac{8}{2} = 4\) electron pairs).
• According to VSEPR theory, when there are \(4\) electron pairs around a central atom (\(3\) bonding pairs and \(1\) lone pair), the molecular geometry is trigonal pyramidal. The lone - pair - bond - pair repulsion causes the deviation from the tetrahedral electron - pair geometry (where there are \(4\) electron pairs) to trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry.

Answer:

trigonal pyramidal