Pyramids and Bent Molecules

Part of the Structure and Bonding section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 19 of 49.

Lone pairs take up room around the central atom, but the shape names only where the atoms are.

4 groups with 1 lone pair (NH₃): trigonal pyramidal. 4 groups with 2 lone pairs (H₂O): bent.

Ammonia with three hydrogens and one lone pair on nitrogen, and water with two hydrogens and two lone pairs on oxygen

Lone pairs take up room but are not part of the shape

3 groups with 1 lone pair (SO₂): bent as well.

Challenge

Ammonia, NH₃, is the gas in many cleaning sprays. Nitrogen is bonded to three hydrogen atoms and has one lone pair. What shape is the molecule?

Try it yourself

Shape viewerDescribe the molecule NH₃

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Structure and Bonding

2Covalent Bonds

5Forces Between Molecules

8Practice Problems

3Shapes of Molecules

6Metals and Giant Structures