The hybridisation of the nitrogen atom in ammonia is
Correct answer: A. sp3, with the lone pair occupying one of the four hybrid orbitals
- A. sp3, with the lone pair occupying one of the four hybrid orbitals
- B. sp2
- C. sp
- D. unhybridised
Explanation
Nitrogen has four regions of electron density, three bonds and one lone pair, so four sp3 hybrids are needed even though only three of them are used for bonding. This is why the observed angle of 107 degrees is close to the tetrahedral value rather than to 120 degrees. Lone pairs must always be counted when deciding hybridisation.
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About Hybridization
Hybridization explains bonding by combining atomic orbitals to form equivalent hybrid orbitals with definite geometries. Coverage includes sp, sp², sp³, sp³d and sp³d² hybridization, their shapes and bond angles, and the relation of sigma and pi bonds to molecular structure.
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