The formation of an ammonium ion (NH4+) can be shown using Lewis structures.
First, we start with the Lewis structure of ammonia (NH3), which has a central nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. The nitrogen atom also has one lone pair of electrons.
NH3:
H - N - H
|
H
To form the ammonium ion, one hydrogen atom undergoes ionization and transfers its lone pair of electrons to the nitrogen atom. This creates a positive charge on the nitrogen atom and forms a coordinate covalent bond between the hydrogen and nitrogen.
NH4+:
H - N+
|
H
H
Represent th eformation of an ammonium ion with the aid of Lewis structures
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