Which species below has the same general shape as `NH_(3)`?

Options

A. `SO_(3)^(2-)`
B. `CO_(3)^(2-)`
C. `NO_(3)^(-)`
D. `SO_(3)`

Explanation

To determine which species has the same general shape as NH₃ (ammonia), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Analyze the structure of NH₃
- **Valence Electrons**: Nitrogen (N) has 5 valence electrons, and each hydrogen (H) has 1 valence electron. Therefore, NH₃ has:
- \(5 + 3 \times 1 = 8\) valence electrons.
- **Lewis Structure**: In NH₃, nitrogen forms three single bonds with three hydrogen atoms and has one lone pair of electrons.
- **Steric Number**: The steric number is calculated as the number of bonded atoms plus the number of lone pairs. Here, it is:
- \(3 \text{ (bond pairs)} + 1 \text{ (lone pair)} = 4\).
- **Hybridization**: With a steric number of 4, the hybridization is \(sp^3\).
- **Shape**: The shape of NH₃ is trigonal pyramidal due to the presence of one lone pair.

### Step 2: Identify the species to compare
We need to find which of the given species has a similar structure (trigonal pyramidal) to NH₃.

### Step 3: Analyze the given species
1. **SO₃ (sulfur trioxide)**:
- Sulfur (S) has 6 valence electrons and forms three double bonds with oxygen. It has no lone pairs. Therefore, its steric number is 3, and it has a trigonal planar shape.

2. **CO₃²⁻ (carbonate ion)**:
- Carbon (C) has 4 valence electrons and forms three sigma bonds with oxygen. It has no lone pairs. Its steric number is also 3, leading to a trigonal planar shape.

3. **SO₄²⁻ (sulfate ion)**:
- Sulfur (S) has 6 valence electrons and forms four sigma bonds with oxygen. It has no lone pairs. Its steric number is 4, leading to a tetrahedral shape.

4. **NH₃ (ammonia)**:
- As analyzed, it has a trigonal pyramidal shape.

### Step 4: Conclusion
The species that has the same general shape as NH₃ is **SO₂ (sulfur dioxide)**, which is not listed in the options but is similar to NH₃ in terms of having a lone pair and a trigonal pyramidal shape.

### Final Answer
The species that has the same general shape as NH₃ is **SO₂**.