How do I determine the hybridization and bonding in ammonia?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Jun 22, 2017

Here's how to do it.

Explanation:

You draw the Lewis structure (Step 1) and use VSEPR theory to determine its electron domain geometry as tetrahedral and its molecular shape (Step 2) as a trigonal pyramid.

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Then you consult a table like the one below.

Hybridization
(Adapted from SlideShare)

You find that the N atom uses sp3 orbitals, so you draw four tear-drop shapes pointing towards the corners of a tetrahedron (Step 3).

The H atoms use their 1s orbitals for bonding, so you draw small circles intersecting with three of the sp3 orbitals.

That shows that the N-H bonds are σ bonds formed by the overlap of sp3 orbitals of N and 1s orbitals of H.

However, the molecular orbitals include both the N and H nuclei.

NH3

In the diagram above, the bond-line drawing shows that the H nuclei are completely inside the larger teardrop-shaped sp3-s σ molecular orbitals.

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