Ammonia, NH₃, is very soluble in water (51.8 g/L at 20 °C and 760 mmHg).Show how NH₃ can hydrogen bond to water.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the hydrogen bonding capability of ammonia (NH₃). Ammonia has a nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. The nitrogen atom has a lone pair of electrons, which can act as a hydrogen bond acceptor.
2. Identify the hydrogen bonding capability of water (H₂O). Water has an oxygen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms. The oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons, which can act as hydrogen bond acceptors, and the hydrogen atoms can act as hydrogen bond donors.
3. Understand that hydrogen bonding occurs when a hydrogen atom, which is covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom (like nitrogen or oxygen), interacts with a lone pair of electrons on another electronegative atom.
4. Visualize the interaction: In the case of NH₃ and H₂O, the hydrogen atoms of NH₃ can form hydrogen bonds with the lone pairs on the oxygen atom of H₂O. Similarly, the hydrogen atoms of H₂O can form hydrogen bonds with the lone pair on the nitrogen atom of NH₃.
5. Draw a diagram to represent the hydrogen bonding: Show NH₃ and H₂O molecules with dashed lines indicating hydrogen bonds between the hydrogen atoms of one molecule and the lone pairs of the other.

Key Concepts

Hydrogen Bonding

Hydrogen bonding is a type of intermolecular force that occurs when a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom, such as nitrogen or oxygen, experiences an attraction to another electronegative atom. In the case of ammonia (NH₃), the nitrogen atom has a partial negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms have partial positive charges, allowing NH₃ to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.

Polarity of Molecules

Polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms in a molecule. Water (H₂O) is a polar molecule due to its bent shape and the significant electronegativity difference between oxygen and hydrogen, leading to a partial negative charge on the oxygen and partial positive charges on the hydrogens. Ammonia is also polar, which allows it to interact favorably with water through hydrogen bonding.

Solubility and Intermolecular Forces

Solubility is the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent, which is influenced by the types of intermolecular forces present. The strong hydrogen bonds between water and ammonia facilitate the dissolution of NH₃ in water, as the polar nature of both substances allows them to interact effectively, leading to a high solubility of ammonia in water.