What hybrid orbitals are used by nitrogen atoms in NH3?

1 Answer
Oct 4, 2014

Nitrogen uses sp³ orbitals in NH₃.

1. Draw the Lewis structure.

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2. Use VSEPR Theory to predict the electron pair geometry.

This is an AX₃E molecule. It has 3 bonding pairs and one lone pair. The electron pairs point toward the corners of a tetrahedron.

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3. Use the orbital geometry to predict the hybridization.

Orbitals that point toward the corners of a tetrahedron are sp³ hybridized.

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