Question

Which of the following is the correct Lewis structure for ammonia (NH3)? Note: Hydrogen and nitrogen have one and five valence electrons respectively.

A)
H - N - H
|
H

B)
H - N - H
|
H

C)
H - N
|
H H

D)
H
|
N - H
|
H

Answer 1

The correct Lewis structure for ammonia (NH3) is option C) H - N | H H.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct Lewis structure for ammonia (NH3) is option C) H - N | H H.

In ammonia, the central atom, nitrogen (N), has five valence electrons and each hydrogen (H) donates one valence electron. The Lewis structure shows that nitrogen forms three bonds with hydrogen atoms and has one lone pair of electrons. This structure allows for the minimization of electron pair repulsions, as the hydrogen atoms and the lone pair are directed to the corners of a tetrahedron.