The number of covalent bonds in `NH_3` is

Options

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Answer

To determine the number of covalent bonds in ammonia (NH₃), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the valence electrons of nitrogen and hydrogen.
- Nitrogen (N) has 5 valence electrons.
- Each hydrogen (H) has 1 valence electron.

### Step 2: Draw the Lewis structure of NH₃.
- In NH₃, nitrogen will be the central atom, and it will bond with three hydrogen atoms.
- Nitrogen will share its three unpaired electrons with three hydrogen atoms.

### Step 3: Count the bonds formed.
- Each hydrogen atom will share its one electron with nitrogen, forming a single covalent bond.
- Therefore, nitrogen forms three covalent bonds with three hydrogen atoms.

### Step 4: Confirm the electron configuration.
- After forming three bonds, nitrogen will have a total of 8 electrons around it (5 original + 3 shared from hydrogen), satisfying the octet rule.
- Each hydrogen atom will have 2 electrons (1 from itself and 1 shared with nitrogen), satisfying the duet rule.

### Conclusion:
- The total number of covalent bonds in NH₃ is 3.

### Final Answer:
The number of covalent bonds in NH₃ is **3**.

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