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
Answered by Daidria P. Chemistry tutor

5226 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the structure of benzene, and how this affects its stability.


A sample of CaCO3 has been weighed in at 6.3 g. How many moles of calcium carbonate are present?


Explain the bonding and thus the properties of a carbon allotrope


This question is about the ionisation energy of elements across a period. a) Define ionisation energy. b) Explain the trend in ionisation energy across a period.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning