Final answer:
The charge of NH3 is neutral or zero. In ammonia (NH3), the nitrogen (N) and each hydrogen (H) have a formal charge of zero. This means that their charges balance out, resulting in a neutral overall charge for the molecule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The charge of NH3 is neutral or zero.
In ammonia (NH3), the nitrogen (N) and each hydrogen (H) have a formal charge of zero. This means that their charges balance out, resulting in a neutral overall charge for the molecule.
For example, if we calculate the formal charge on the atoms in NH3 using the Lewis electron structure, we find that the nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and is bonded to three hydrogen atoms, each having 1 valence electron. Since nitrogen loses 3 electrons and each hydrogen gains 1 electron, their formal charges are zero and the overall charge on NH3 is also zero.