How to draw NH4+ Lewis Structure? - Science Education and Tutorials

Drawing NH4+ Lewis Structure is very easy to by using the following method. Here in this post, we described step by step method to construct NH4+ Lewis Structure. The nitrogen element comes the first member of the nitrogen family from the periodic table. The valence electrons nitrogen is 5. The ionic form of the NH3 molecule is called ammonium ion.

Table of Contents

Key Points To Consider When Drawing The NH4+ ion Structure

A three-step approach for drawing the NH4+ Lewis structure can be used. The first step is to sketch the Lewis structure of the NH4+ molecule, to add valence electrons around the nitrogen atom; the second step is to add valence electrons to the four hydrogen atoms, and the final step is to combine the step1 and step2 to get the NH4+ Lewis Structure.

The NH4+ Lewis structure is a diagram that illustrates the number of valence electrons and bond electron pairs in the NH4+ molecule ion. The geometry of the NH4+ molecule can then be predicted using the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR Theory), which states that molecules will choose the NH4+ ion geometrical shape in which the electrons have from one another.

Finally, you must add their bond polarities to compute the strength of the N-H bond (dipole moment properties of the NH4+ molecule ion). The nitrogen-hydrogen bonds in ammonium ion(NH4+), for example, are polarised toward the more electronegative nitrogen in NH4+ molecule ion, and because both bonds have the same size and located around four hydrogen terminals of the tetrahedral with the positive charge on the nitrogen atom, their sum of dipole moment is zero due to the NH4+ molecule’s bond dipole moment and positive charge on the nitrogen atom. Because each N-H bond polarity canceled each other in the NH4+ molecule ion. The ammonium(NH4+) molecule is classified as a nonpolar molecule.

The molecule of ammonium ion (with tetrahedral molecular geometry) is tilted, the bond angles between nitrogen and hydrogen are 109.5 degrees. It has a difference in electronegativity values between nitrogen and hydrogen atoms, with terminal hydrogen’s pull being less than central nitrogen’s in the NH4+ molecule ion. But they canceled each other due to the symmetrical molecular geometry of NH4+ ion. As a result, it has the zero dipole moment. The NH4+ molecule ion has a zero dipole moment due to an equal charge distribution of negative and positive charges. The net dipole moment of the NH4+ molecule ion is 0 D.

Overview: NH4+ Lewis Structure

The central atom is nitrogen, which is bordered on four terminals with four hydrogen atoms( in tetrahedral geometry), and a positive charge on the nitrogen in the tetrahedral geometry. nitrogen has five outermost valence electrons, indicating that it possesses five electrons in its outermost shell, whereas hydrogen only has one valence electron in its outermost shell. To complete the octet of the nitrogen atom, a nitrogen central atom requires three valence electrons. If you’re interested in learning more about the nitrogen octet rule, please see in our previous post.

Four hydrogen atoms establish covalent connections with the central nitrogen atom as a result, leaving the nitrogen atom with a positive charge. There is a single positive charge on the nitrogen central atom that resists the bond pairs of the four N-H. According to VSEPR theory, the bond pairs lead the NH4+ molecule to take on the tetrahedral molecular geometry shape.

The NH4+ ion molecule’s N-F bonds are arranged in symmetrical order around the tetrahedral molecular geometry, giving rise to the NH4+ ion molecular shape. The NH4+ molecule ion has a tetrahedral molecular geometry because there is no huge electrical repulsion between the positive charge and four bond pairs(N-H) of the NH4+ molecule ion.

The positive ions are considered as the hole. The negative ions are charge carriers. In molecular physics, the electric conductance in the aqueous solution is due to the presence of charged species. The negative charge ion moved to the positive terminal of the electrode. In contrast, the positive charge ion moved to the negative terminal of the electrode. You will get more information on metal plating.

Electronegative Difference Calculation of NH4+ Molecule:

The nitrogen atom has an electronegativity of 3.04, while hydrogen has an electronegativity of 2.20 in the NH4+ molecule ion. The difference in electronegativity can be estimated using the method below.

The electronegative value difference between nitrogen and hydrogen
Electronegativity value of nitrogen = 3.04
Electronegativity value of hydrogen= 2.20
Difference of electronegativity value between nitrogen and hydrogen= 3.04 – 2.20=0.84
Electronegativity difference between N-H bond calculation of NH4+ molecule ion

Due to the difference in electronegativity value of greater than 0.5, the N-H bond of the NH4+ molecule ion becomes polar. Because of this difference in electronegativity, the NH4+ ion molecule’s N-H bond becomes polar. The total net dipole moment of the NH4+ molecule ion is zero due to the cancellation of the bond dipole moment in the tetrahedral geometry. The electronegativity of an atom is the strength with which it may attract bound electron pairs to its side. The polarity of NH4+ ion is discussed in our previous post.

As a result, the N-H bond’s dipole moment is high due to the polarization of the bonds and positive charge on nitrogen, and all N-H bonds’ dipoles are arranged in the symmetrical NH4+ molecular geometry. The NH4+ ion molecule’s total dipole moment is predicted to be 0 D.

The electron dot structure of the NH4+ molecule is also known as the NH4+ Lewis structure. It determines the number of outermost valence electrons as well as the electrons engaged in the NH4+ ion molecule’s bond formation. The outermost valence electrons of the NH4+ molecule ion must be understood while considering the Lewis structure of the molecule.

The nitrogen atom is the middle element in NH4+ molecular geometry, with five electrons in its outermost valence electron shell, whereas the hydrogen atom has one electron in its outermost valence electron shell.

The NH4+ molecule ion has a total of 8 valence electrons as a result of the foregoing above said reasoning. With the core central nitrogen atom, the four terminal with four hydrogen atoms forms covalent bonds, leaving the nitrogen atom with a positive charge in the middle of tetrahedral geometry.

Because the positive charge on the central nitrogen atom creates interaction with N-H bond pairs(but it is negligible). The bond angle of the H-N-H bond in the tetrahedral molecular geometry is approximately 109.5 degrees. This angle is greater than the NH3 molecule bond angle due to the no lone pairs of electrons on the NH4+ molecule ion. The N-H bond length is 103 pm(picometer). Which is a little longer than the NH3 bond length.

To sketch the NH4+ Lewis structure by following these instructions:

Step-1: NH4+ Lewis dot Structure by counting valence electrons on the nitrogen atom

To calculate the valence electron of each atom in NH4+, look for its periodic group from the periodic table. The nitrogen and hydrogen families, which are the 15th and 1st groups in the periodic table, are both made up of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. In their outermost shells, nitrogen and hydrogen have five and one valence electrons, respectively.

Calculate the total number of valence electrons in the NH4+ molecule’s outermost valence shell. The first step is to determine how many electrons are in the NH4+ Lewis structure’s outermost valence shell. An electron in an atom’s outermost shell is known as a valence electron. It is represented by dots in the NH4+ Lewis diagram. The NH4+ molecule’s core nitrogen atom can be represented as follows:

Total outermost valence shell electron of nitrogen atom in NH4+= 5
Total outermost valence shell electron of the hydrogen atom in NH4+= 1
The NH4+ molecule ion has one central nitrogen and four hydrogen atoms. Then the total outermost valence shell electrons can be calculated as follows
∴ Total outermost valence shell electrons available for NH4+ Lewis structure( dot structure) = 5+4*1-1=8 valence electrons in NH4+ ion.
calculation of total valence electron of NH4+ molecule ion

Choose the atom with the least electronegative value atom and insert it in the center of the molecular geometry of NH4+. We’ll choose the least electronegative value atom in the NH4+ molecule to place in the center of the NH4+ Lewis structure diagram in this phase. The electronegativity value in periodic groups grows from left to right in the periodic table and drops from top to bottom.

The first step is to put five valence electrons around the nitrogen atom as given in the figure.

Step-2: Lewis Structure of NH4+ for counting valence electrons around the terminal hydrogen atom

As a result, nitrogen is the first atom in the periodic table’s nitrogen family group. Nitrogen is the first member of the nitrogen family. The electronegative value of the nitrogen atom is higher than that of the hydrogen atom in the NH4+ molecule ion. Furthermore, nitrogen has a five electrons limit since hydrogen is the less electronegative element in the NH4+ molecule ion.

In the NH4+ Lewis structure diagram, the nitrogen atom can be the center atom of the molecule. As a result, central nitrogen in the NH4+ Lewis structure, with all four hydrogen atoms arranged in the tetrahedral geometry.

Add valence electrons around the hydrogen atom, as given in the figure.

Step-3: Lewis dot Structure for NH4+ generated from step-1 and step-2

Connect the exterior and core central atom of the NH4+ molecule ion with four single bonds (N-H). In this stage, use four hydrogen atoms on the outside of the NH4 molecule ion to the central nitrogen atom in the middle.

Count how many electrons from the outermost valence shell have been used in the NH4+ structure so far. Each N-H bond carries two electrons because each nitrogen atom is connected to four hydrogen atoms by four N-H bonds. Bond pairings of N-H are what they’re called.

So, out of the total of 8 valence electrons available for the NH4+ Lewis structure, we used 8 for the NH4+ molecule’s four N-H bonds. The NH4+ molecule has a positive charge in the central nitrogen atom. This positive charge acts as a hole.

Place the valence electrons in the N-H bond pairs starting with the core nitrogen, four hydrogens, and positive charge in the NH4+ molecule. In the NH4+ Lewis structure diagram, we always begin by introducing valence electrons from the central nitrogen atom(in step1). As a result, wrap around the central nitrogen atom’s bond pair valence electrons first (see figure for step1).

The nitrogen atom in the molecule gets only eight electrons around its molecular structure. This central nitrogen atom is octet stable. But it has a positive charge. Ammonia(NH3) is base in nature. when ammonia reacted with an acid, it gives ammonium ion. It is classified as a salt.

Nitrogen requires 8 electrons in its outermost valence shell to complete the molecular stability, 8 electrons bond pairs in N-H bonds. Then positive charge on the nitrogen atom of the NH4+ molecule is placed in a tetrahedral geometry. Nitrogen already shares eight electrons to the four N-H bonds. Then place the valence electron in the hydrogen atoms, it placed around one electron on each atom(step-2). Totally, four valence electrons placed on the four hydrogen atoms of the NH4+ molecule ion.

We’ve positioned no electrons around the terminal hydrogen atoms(step-3), which is represented by a dot, in the NH4+ molecular structure above. The nitrogen atom completes its molecular stability in the NH4+ molecule ion because it possesses 8 electrons in its (N-H) bond pairs with four hydrogens in the outermost valence shell.

Count how many outermost valence shell electrons have been used so far using the NH4+ Lewis structure. Four electron bond pairs are shown as dots in the NH4+ chemical structure, whereas four single bonds each contain two electrons. The outermost valence shell electrons of the NH4+ molecule ion(bond pairs) are eight as a result of the calculation.

So far, we’ve used eight of the NH4+ Lewis structure’s total 8 outermost valence shell electrons. The positive charge on the nitrogen atom in the tetrahedral geometry of the NH4+ molecule ion.

Complete the middle nitrogen atom stability and, if necessary, apply a covalent bond. The central nitrogen atom undergoes octet stability(due to resonance structure with charge and bond pairs). The best example of an ammonium ion is ammonium chloride. How it formed?

When ammonia solution reacted with hydrochloric acid gives ammonium chloride. The chemical equation for the reaction can be written as follows:

NH3 + HCl ———> NH4Cl
Formation of ammonium chloride

Similarly, ammonium sulfate formed, when ammonia reacted with sulfuric acid. It gives the said product. The chemical reaction can be written as follows:

NH3 + H2SO4 ———-> NH4SO4
Formation of ammonium sulfate

The core atom in the NH4+ Lewis structure is nitrogen, which is bonded to the four hydrogen atoms by single bonds (N-H). With the help of four single bonds, it already shares eight electrons. As a result, the nitrogen follows the octet rule and has 8 electrons surrounding it on the four terminals of the NH4+ molecule’s tetrahedral geometry.

How to calculate the formal charge on a nitrogen and hydrogen atoms in NH4+ Lewis Structure?

Calculating formal charge on the nitrogen of NH4+ molecule ion:

The formal charge on the NH4+ molecule’s nitrogen central atom often corresponds to the actual charge on that nitrogen central atom. In the following computation, the formal charge will be calculated on the central nitrogen atom of the NH4+ Lewis dot structure.

To calculate the formal charge on the central nitrogen atom of the NH4+ molecule by using the following formula:
The formal charge on the nitrogen atom of NH4+ molecule= (V. E(N)– L.E(N) – 1/2(B.E))
V.E (N) = Valence electron in a nitrogen atom of NH4+ molecule
L.E(N) = Lone pairs of an electron in the nitrogen atom of the NH4+ molecule.
B.E = Bond pair electron in N atom of NH4+ molecule
calculation of formal charge on nitrogen atom in NH4+ molecule

The nitrogen core atom (four single bonds connected to four hydrogen atoms ) of the NH4+ molecule ion has five valence electrons, no lone pairs of electrons(zero electrons), and eight bonding pairing valence electrons. Put these values for the nitrogen atom in the formula above.

Formal charge on nitrogen atom of NH4+ molecule = (5- 0-(8/2)) =+1

In the Lewis structure of NH4+, the formal charge on the central nitrogen atom is +1 (positive charge).

Calculating formal charge on the hydrogen of NH4+ molecule ion:

The formal charge on the NH4+ molecule’s hydrogen terminal atom often corresponds to the actual charge on that hydrogen terminal atom. In the following computation, the formal charge will be calculated on the terminal hydrogen atom of the NH4+ Lewis dot structure.

To calculate the formal charge on the terminal hydrogen atom of the NH4+ molecule by using the following formula:
The formal charge on the hydrogen atom of NH4+ molecule= (V. E(N)– L.E(N) – 1/2(B.E))
V.E (N) = Valence electron in a hydrogen atom of NH4+ molecule
L.E(N) = Lone pairs of an electron in the hydrogen atom of the NH4+ molecule.
B.E = Bond pair electron in H atom of NH4+ molecule
calculation of formal charge on hydrogen atom in NH4+ molecule

The hydrogen terminal atom of the NH4+ molecule ion has one valence electron, no lone pairs of electrons(zero electrons), and two bonding pairing valence electrons. Put these values for the hydrogen atom in the formula above.

Formal charge on hydrogen atom of NH4+ molecule = (1- 0-(2/2)) =0

In the Lewis structure of NH4+, the formal charge on the central hydrogen atom is zero.

Summary:

In this post, we discussed the method to construct the NH4+ Lewis structure. First, the valence electrons are placed around the nitrogen atom. Second, place the valence electron on the hydrogen atom. Finally, when we combined the first and second steps. It gives NH4+ Lewis structure. Need to remember that, if you follow above said method, you can construct molecular dot structure very easily.