Is Ammonia (NH₃) Polar or Nonpolar?

Is Ammonia (NH₃) polar or nonpolar?

Ammonia has three polar N–H bonds (ΔEN = 0.84). The trigonal pyramidal geometry plus the lone pair on nitrogen prevents cancellation. The net dipole points away from the lone pair.

FormulaNH₃
PolarityPolar
Molecular GeometryTrigonal Pyramidal
N–H BondΔEN = 0.84 (polar)
Net DipoleYes

Bond Dipoles

Each N–H bond has an electronegativity difference of 0.84 (N = 3.04, H = 2.20). Nitrogen pulls electron density toward itself in each bond.

Molecular Shape & Dipole Cancellation

Ammonia is trigonal pyramidal - the three hydrogens are below and the lone pair is above. This asymmetric shape prevents the three bond dipoles from canceling.

Net Dipole Moment

The three bond dipoles plus the lone pair contribution create a net dipole pointing from the hydrogens toward the lone pair. Ammonia is moderately polar.

See bond dipoles, partial charges, and net dipole moments on interactive 3D molecules.

Visualize Ammonia's Polarity in 3D

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