Moderate

The geometry of ammonia is___________________?

Correct answer: D. Trigonal Pyramidal

  • A. Tetrahedral
  • B. Square planner
  • C. Trigonal bipyramidal
  • D. Trigonal Pyramidal

Explanation

Ammonia has three N-H bonding pairs and one lone pair around nitrogen; the four electron pairs have tetrahedral electron arrangement, but the lone pair makes the molecular shape trigonal pyramidal. Students may choose tetrahedral because there are four electron pairs, but molecular geometry considers only the positions of atoms.

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About VSEPR Theory

Valence shell electron pair repulsion theory predicts molecular shape by arranging bonding pairs and lone pairs around a central atom to minimize repulsion. Questions cover linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral electron geometries, bond angles and distortions caused by lone pairs. Electron geometry is not always the same as molecular shape.

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