Nitrogen N) normally forms only three covalent bonds because it has a valence of five. However, ammonium has four covalent bonds, each to a different hydrogen H) atom H has a valence of one). Make a sketch of this molecule. Count the number of electrons in your sketch. Compare this number to the number of valence electrons in one N and four H's. What is the charge on this molecule most likely to be?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the ammonium ion (NH4+), nitrogen forms four covalent bonds with four hydrogen atoms. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and each hydrogen has 1, totaling 9 valence electrons. However, to form four bonds, nitrogen shares its 5 electrons with 4 from hydrogen, making 8 electrons involved in bonding. The extra electron (to make the count from 5 to 4 in nitrogen) is effectively lost, giving the molecule a +1 charge.

Nitrogen N) Normally Forms Only Three Covalent Bonds Because It