Question

By looking at the Lewis structure of an ammonia (NH${}_3$) molecule, shape of an ammonia molecule is described by which one of the following?

• A. Trigonal pyramidal
• B. T-shaped
• C. Square planar
• D. Trigonal planar
• E. Tetrahedral

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Trigonal pyramidal

By looking at the Lewis structure of an ammonia (NH3) molecule, shape of an ammonia molecule is described by trigonal pyramidal structure. The N atom in ammonia is $s{p}^3$ hybridized as it has one lone pair of electrons and three bond pairs of electrons. This results in tetrahedral electron pair geometry and Trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry.