Write down Lewis structure for the ammonia molecule
The Lewis structure for the ammonia molecule (NH3) is as follows:
H - N - H
|
H
To draw the Lewis structure for ammonia (NH3), follow these steps:
Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons:
Ammonia (NH3) consists of one nitrogen atom (N) and three hydrogen atoms (H). Nitrogen is in Group 15 of the periodic table and has five valence electrons, while hydrogen is in Group 1 and has one valence electron. Therefore, the total number of valence electrons is 5 (from nitrogen) + (1 x 3) (from hydrogen) = 8 valence electrons.
Step 2: Determine the central atom:
In ammonia (NH3), the nitrogen atom is the central atom as it can make the most bonds to the hydrogen atoms.
Step 3: Connect the atoms:
Draw a single bond (represented by a line) between the nitrogen atom (N) and each of the hydrogen atoms (H). This will use 3 of the total 8 valence electrons.
Step 4: Complete the octet rule for all atoms except hydrogen:
Nitrogen has already used 3 electrons (from the bonds with hydrogen), and it still needs 5 more electrons to complete its octet (8 valence electrons). Therefore, we need two lone pairs of electrons on the nitrogen atom.
Step 5: Distribute the remaining electrons:
Place the remaining 2 electrons as lone pairs around the nitrogen atom.
Step 6: Check if all atoms have an octet:
Each hydrogen atom now has a duet (2 valence electrons), and the nitrogen atom has an octet (8 valence electrons).
The final Lewis structure for ammonia (NH3) should look like this:
H
H – N – H
H