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Is NH3 polar or non-polar?

Ammonia (NH₃) is polar due to its molecular geometry and the electronegativity difference between nitrogen and hydrogen.

Why NH₃ is Polar:

  1. Molecular Geometry:
    NH₃ has a trigonal pyramidal shape because of the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom. This lone pair pushes the three hydrogen atoms downward, creating an asymmetrical structure.
  2. Electronegativity Difference:
    Nitrogen is more electronegative (3.04 on the Pauling scale) than hydrogen (2.20). This difference causes the nitrogen-hydrogen bonds to be polar, with nitrogen pulling the bonding electrons closer to itself.
  3. Net Dipole Moment:
    The asymmetry of the trigonal pyramidal shape ensures that the individual dipoles from the N-H bonds do not cancel out. This results in a net dipole moment, making NH₃ polar.
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In summary, NH₃ is a polar molecule due to its asymmetric shape and polar bonds.

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