What type of bonds are formed between the nitrogen and hydrogen atoms in the ammonia molecule?

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Multiple Choice

What type of bonds are formed between the nitrogen and hydrogen atoms in the ammonia molecule?

The bonds between nitrogen and hydrogen in ammonia are polar covalent. Nitrogen is more electronegative than hydrogen, so the shared electrons in each N–H bond are drawn closer to the nitrogen. This creates a partial negative charge on nitrogen and partial positive charges on the hydrogens, giving the bond polarity. It isn’t non-polar covalent because the electron sharing isn’t equal, and it’s not ionic because there’s no transfer of electrons to form ions. It’s also not a hydrogen bond within the molecule—that kind of bond is an intermolecular attraction between molecules, whereas the N–H bonds themselves are covalent and polar.

The bonds between nitrogen and hydrogen in ammonia are polar covalent. Nitrogen is more electronegative than hydrogen, so the shared electrons in each N–H bond are drawn closer to the nitrogen. This creates a partial negative charge on nitrogen and partial positive charges on the hydrogens, giving the bond polarity.

It isn’t non-polar covalent because the electron sharing isn’t equal, and it’s not ionic because there’s no transfer of electrons to form ions. It’s also not a hydrogen bond within the molecule—that kind of bond is an intermolecular attraction between molecules, whereas the N–H bonds themselves are covalent and polar.

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