Question

what is a major difference in structure between ch4 and nh?
color of central atom
number of bonds on central atom
steric number

Explanation:

• Color of central atom: Atoms don't have colors in a structural sense relevant to the chemical structure of molecules like \(CH_4\) and \(NH_3\). This is a non - chemical, non - structural property.
• Number of bonds on central atom: In \(CH_4\), carbon (\(C\)) forms 4 covalent bonds (\(C - H\) bonds). In \(NH_3\), nitrogen (\(N\)) forms 3 covalent bonds (\(N - H\) bonds). This is a significant structural difference.
• Steric number: The steric number for \(CH_4\) (where \(C\) has 4 bonding pairs and 0 lone pairs) and \(NH_3\) (where \(N\) has 3 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair) is calculated as \(SN=\text{number of bonding pairs}+\text{number of lone pairs}\). For \(CH_4\), \(SN = 4+0=4\); for \(NH_3\), \(SN=3 + 1=4\). So, the steric numbers are the same.

Answer:

Number of bonds on central atom