Draw and Explain the Lewis Dot Diagram for NH4 Plus

The Lewis dot diagram for the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺) helps us visualize the arrangement of electrons around the nitrogen atom and the hydrogen atoms.

To draw the Lewis dot diagram for NH₄⁺:

1. Count the total valence electrons: Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, and each hydrogen has 1. However, because the ammonium ion has a +1 charge, we have to subtract one electron from the total. Thus, the calculation is:
   • 5 (from N) + 1 (from 4 H) – 1 (for charge) = 5 valence electrons
2. Place the nitrogen atom in the center: Since nitrogen is the central atom, draw the symbol for nitrogen (N) in the middle.
3. Add hydrogen atoms: Surround the nitrogen atom with four hydrogen atoms (H). Each hydrogen will be bonded to the nitrogen with a single bond.
4. Distribute the remaining electrons: Initially, the nitrogen atom will have 4 bonds (one with each hydrogen), and there will be no lone pairs. Thus, the structure will have a total of 8 electrons (4 bonding pairs) around the nitrogen atom, following the octet rule.

The final structure would look like this:

      H
      |
  H - N - H
      |
      H

Explanation: In this Lewis dot structure, nitrogen shares electrons with the four hydrogen atoms, forming four single covalent bonds. As a result, nitrogen achieves a stable electron configuration, and each hydrogen atom also achieves the stable configuration of having two electrons (a full shell). The overall positive charge of the ammonium ion is indicated by the +1 charge on the structure.