Question

what is the shape of the ammonia molecule as predicted by vsepr theory? tetrahedral pyramidal octahedral linear

Explanation:

Ammonia (\(NH_3\)) has a central nitrogen atom. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons. In \(NH_3\), three of these electrons form bonds with hydrogen atoms (each hydrogen contributes 1 electron for bonding). So, there are 3 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair of electrons around the nitrogen atom. According to VSEPR (Valence - Shell Electron - Pair Repulsion) theory, the electron - pair geometry is tetrahedral (due to 4 electron pairs: 3 bonding + 1 lone). But when determining the molecular shape (which ignores lone pairs in terms of the 'shape' description for the atoms), the presence of the lone pair causes the molecular shape to be pyramidal.

Answer:

Pyramidal