Question

The \[\ce{H - N - H}\] bond angle in ammonia molecule is ______.

Options

• 107°

• 111°

• 104°

• 109°

Answer 1

The \[\ce{H - N - H}\] bond angle in ammonia molecule is 107°.

Explanation:

The \[\ce{H - N - H}\] bond angle in ammonia molecule is 107°­. Since there is more repulsion between lone pairs than between bond pairs, lone pairs repel each other more than bond pairs do. The bond angle in water contracts from 109° 28' to 104.5° while the bond angle in NH₃ contracts less, from 109° 28' to 107°, as a result of the much stronger repulsion in H₂O than in NH₃.