Question

Nitrogen (N) normally forms three covalent bonds with a valence of 5. However, ammonium has four covalent bonds, each to a different hydrogen (H) atom (H has a valence of 1). What do you predict to be the charge on ammonium?

Answer 1

positve 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Since the Nitrogen is a neutral atom when is in it basic form. Tend to loose 3 electrons, that is the reason why it has a valence of 5, this means that are 3 available places for positives charges, to complete the octet, and to be neutral again.

In the case of ammonium, since the Nitrogen receives 4 positives charges, one positive charge from each Hydrogen atom, the amount of positive charges are more than the negative charges. That is the reason the ammoniun has 1+. NH4 1+