College

Nitrogen (N) is more electronegative than hydrogen (H). Which of the following is a correct statement about the atoms in ammonia [tex](NH_3)[/tex]?

A. Each hydrogen atom has a partial positive charge; the nitrogen atom has a partial negative charge.
B. Ammonia has an overall positive charge.
C. Ammonia has an overall negative charge.
D. The nitrogen atom has a partial positive charge; each hydrogen atom has a partial negative charge.

Answer :

Certainly! Let's understand the scenario step-by-step:

1. Electronegativity Concept: Electronegativity refers to the ability of an atom to attract electrons towards itself in a chemical bond. A higher electronegativity means a stronger pull on electrons.

2. Electronegativity Values:
- Nitrogen (N): 3.04
- Hydrogen (H): 2.20

From these values, we can see that nitrogen is more electronegative than hydrogen.

3. Structure of Ammonia ([tex]\( NH_3 \)[/tex]):
- Ammonia consists of one nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms.

4. Partial Charges in Ammonia:
- When atoms with different electronegativities form a bond, the electrons are not shared equally.
- The more electronegative atom (N) will attract the electrons more strongly, gaining a slight negative charge (denoted as [tex]\( \delta^- \)[/tex]).
- The less electronegative atoms (H) will have the electrons pulled away from them, resulting in a slight positive charge (denoted as [tex]\( \delta^+ \)[/tex]).

Therefore, in ammonia ([tex]\( NH_3 \)[/tex]):
- The nitrogen atom will have a partial negative charge [tex]\((\delta^-)\)[/tex].
- Each hydrogen atom will have a partial positive charge [tex]\((\delta^+)\)[/tex].

Based on these facts, the correct statement about the atoms in ammonia ([tex]\( NH_3 \)[/tex]) is:

Each hydrogen atom has a partial positive charge; the nitrogen atom has a partial negative charge.