Drawing Orbital overlap diagram for ammonia

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on drawing orbital overlap diagrams for ammonia (NH3). The user presents four attempts at creating these diagrams and seeks feedback on their accuracy and arrangement. Key points include the arrangement of hydrogen atoms, the necessity of hybridization, and the subjective nature of these diagrams. Ultimately, the user prefers attempt #2 for its neatness, while questioning the need for hybridization in nitrogen as compared to oxygen in water.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of molecular geometry and VSEPR theory
  • Familiarity with hybridization concepts in chemistry
  • Knowledge of orbital overlap theory
  • Basic skills in drawing molecular structures
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the hybridization of nitrogen in ammonia (NH3)
  • Learn about orbital overlap diagrams and their significance in molecular bonding
  • Explore the differences in hybridization between nitrogen and oxygen in molecular structures
  • Study the VSEPR theory to better understand molecular shapes
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and anyone interested in molecular structure and bonding concepts will benefit from this discussion.

Evangeline101
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Homework Statement


upload_2016-10-4_4-38-52.png


Homework Equations


none
This is how I was taught to draw orbital overlap diagrams in my lesson:

upload_2016-10-4_4-38-17.png


The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
I have drawn four attempts for a possible orbital overlap diagram of NH3:

Attempt # 1:
upload_2016-10-4_5-10-8.png

For this one, are the atoms arranged correctly? should it be two hydrogen at the bottom and one at the top?

Attempt # 2:

upload_2016-10-4_5-15-6.png

For this one, it doesn't really follow the example taught in the lesson, but does it make sense to do it like this?

Attempt # 3:

upload_2016-10-4_5-20-30.png

should I be hybridizing it...? Attempt # 4:
upload_2016-10-4_5-23-0.png


Can someone please tell me which and if any of these diagrams are correct?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks :)
 
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These "Orbital Overlap Diagrams" are very cartoonish representations, so it is hard to say which is wrong or right. I like attempt #2, as it is neater. In the example of water, no hybridization is used for the oxygen, therefore I would guess that it is not necessary to use hybridization for N.
 

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