According to Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory, how many electron groups are around the central nitrogen atom in an ammonia (NH3) molecule?

• A. 5
• B. 2
• C. 4
• D. 3

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the ammonia (NH\_3) molecule, which is nitrogen (N).
2. Determine the number of valence electrons around the nitrogen atom. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons.
3. Count the number of atoms bonded to the nitrogen. In NH\_3, nitrogen is bonded to 3 hydrogen atoms.
4. Consider the lone pairs of electrons on the nitrogen atom. Since nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and forms 3 bonds, it has 1 lone pair of electrons.
5. Add the number of bonded atoms and lone pairs to find the total number of electron groups around nitrogen: 3 (bonded atoms) + 1 (lone pair) = 4 electron groups.