Lewis structure of NH4+

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The Lewis structure of NH₄⁺ contains four single bonds, with nitrogen in the center, and four hydrogens on either side. There are no lone pairs on both nitrogen atom and hydrogen atom.

Plus, there is a positive (+1) charge on the nitrogen atom.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of NH₄⁺.

#1 Draw skeleton
#2 Show chemical bond
#3 Calculate formal charge and check stability (if there are no lone pairs and octet is already completed on central atom)

Let’s one by one discuss each step in detail.

#1 Draw skeleton

In this step, first calculate the total number of valence electrons. And then, decide the central atom.

• Let’s calculate the total number of valence electrons

We know that… nitrogen is a group 15 element and hydrogen is a group 1 element. Hence, nitrogen has five valence electrons and hydrogen has one valence electron.

Now NH₄⁺ has one nitrogen atom and four hydrogen atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of nitrogen atom + (valence electrons of hydrogen atom × 4)

And NH₄⁺ has a positive (+1) charge, so we have to subtract one electron.

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 5 + 4 – 1 = 8

• Now decide the central atom

We can not assume hydrogen as the central atom, because the central atom is bonded with at least two other atoms. And hydrogen has only one electron in its last shell, so it can not make more than one bond.

Hence, assume that nitrogen is the central atom.

So now, put nitrogen in the center and hydrogens on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of NH₄⁺ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of HNO (5 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

Place two electrons between the atoms to show a chemical bond. Since nitrogen is surrounded by four hydrogens, use eight electrons to show four chemical bonds as follows:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (nitrogen), and also on the outside atoms. Therefore, the octet rule is satisfied.

After completing the octet, one last thing we need to do is, calculate the formal charge and check the stability of the above structure.

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of BeH₂ (3 steps)

#3 Calculate formal charge and check stability

The following formula is used to calculate the formal charges on atoms:

Formal charge = valence electrons – nonbonding electrons – ½ bonding electrons

Collect the data from the above structure and then, write it down below as follows:

• For nitrogen atom

Valence electrons = 5
Nonbonding electrons = 0
Bonding electrons = 8

Formal charge = 5 – 0 – ½ (8) = +1

• For each hydrogen atom

Valence electrons = 1
Nonbonding electrons = 0
Bonding electrons = 2

Formal charge = 1 – 0 – ½ (2) = 0

Mention the formal charges of atoms on the structure. So the Lewis structure of NH₄⁺ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of atoms are closer to zero. Therefore, this is the most stable Lewis structure of NH₄⁺.

And each horizontal line drawn in the above structure represents a pair of bonding valence electrons.

Now NH₄⁺ is an ion having a positive (+1) charge, so draw brackets around the above Lewis structure and mention that charge on the top right corner. And then, the Lewis structure of NH₄⁺ looks something like this:

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Related

• Lewis structure of HNO
• Lewis structure of BeH₂
• Lewis structure of AlCl₃
• Lewis structure of CH₂F₂
• Lewis structure of CH₃^–

External links

• NH4+ (Ammonium ion) Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• What is the NH4 Lewis structure? – Quora
• NH4+ Lewis Structure:Drawings, Hybridization, Shape, Charges – Lambda Geeks
• NH4+ Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, and Hybridization – Techiescientist
• NH4+ (Ammonium ion) Lewis Structure – Chemistry School
• NH4+ lewis structure, molecular geometry, bond angle, hybridization – Topblogtenz
• NH4+ Lewis Structure – How to Draw the Dot Structure for NH4+ (Ammonium Ion) – Pinterest
• Draw the Lewis Dot Structure for the following cation:NH4+ – Pearson
• How to draw NH4+ Lewis Structure? – Science Education and Tutorials
• Lewis Dot of Ammonium NH4+ – Kent’s Chemistry
• Chemical Bonding: NH4+ Lewis Structure – The Geoexchange
• Draw a Lewis structure for NH4+ – Chegg
• Lewis Structure for NH4+ – Laurence Lavelle
• The Lewis Dot Structure for NH4+ – MakeTheBrainHappy
• What does the Lewis structure for the ammonium ion NH4 have? – Answers
• Draw a Lewis structure for NH4+ – Brainly
• Draw a Lewis structure for NH4+ – Bartleby
• Draw the Lewis structure for ammonium, NH4+ – Course Hero