What is the structure of the ammonia molecule?

2 Answers
anor277
Oct 25, 2017

The ammonia molecule consists of 3 hydrogen atoms that are covalently bound to one nitrogen atom.....

Explanation:

And thus we get a NH3 molecule.....

However, because nitrogen is electronegative with respect to hydrogen, charge separation occurs to give the following polarity, as electronegative nitrogen polarizes electron density towards itself:

H2−δN−δ+H

And in solution this gives rise to intermolecular bonding, precisely as it does in H2O or HF....and such hydrogen bonding is responsible for the relatively elevated normal boiling point of ammonia, i.e. −33.3 ∘C.

Saliha
Oct 25, 2017

In ammonia molecule(NH3), three hydrogen atoms form covalent bonds with nitrogen atom.

Explanation:

Covalent bond is an intramolecular interaction i.e it is present between atoms within a molecule.
It is formed as a result of sharing of electron pairs between atoms in order to gain stability.
In NH3 molecule, three covalent bonds are present.
Hydrogen atom has 1 valence electron.
Nitrogen atom has 5 valence electrons. Thus it need 3 more electrons in order to achieve stability.
So, now these atoms will share their electrons. Each hydrogen atom will share it's electron with nitrogen atom. Thus the octet of nitrogen is complete now. And the hydrogen atom also has become stable by sharing it's three electrons with three(out of 5) electrons of nitrogen. Thus 3 covalent bonds have been formed between these atoms forming stable molecule of NH3
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http://www.gcsescience.com/a28-covalent-bond-ammonia-gas-molecule.htm

This video will make you comprehend concept of covalent bonding in amazing manner:

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