The Orbital of Nitrogen atom in Ammonia

[adam_w]

Homework Statement

Experimental evidence suggests that the nitrogen atom in ammonia, NH3 , has four orbitals in the shape of a pyramid or tetrahedron. Draw an energy-level diagram to show the formation of these orbitals. (Hint: No electron promotion is required.)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

First answer: http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae277/clubangel777/Science Homework/SCH4U-BQuestion6ab.jpg

Second answer: http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae277/clubangel777/Science Homework/HybridAmmoniaNitrogen.jpg

My sister came up with the first answer, but the teacher emailed her the second answer. There is confusion because she thinks Nitrogen should have 7 Electrons and the teacher said there are 6 Electrons.

 

[ehild]

Nitrogen is the seventh element, it has 7 protons in the nucleus and seven electrons in its electron shells; two of them on 1s orbitals and five on the second shell, on sp3 hybrids. Three of them are unpaired and ready to make covalent bonds with hydrogen. The first picture is correct.

ehild