Chemistry · Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 11 · Question 5

Some students wrote three statements about the bonding in a molecule of ammonia, NH₃. 1 A nitrogen atom has three outer electrons so all outer electrons are involved in bonding. 2 A nitrogen atom has five outer electrons so two outer electrons are not involved in bonding. 3 A nitrogen atom shares electrons with each of three hydrogen atoms. Which statements about the bonding in ammonia are correct?

1. A1 and 3
2. B1 only
3. C2 and 3
4. D2 only

As printed in the paper