Question

Using VSEPR theory which of the following would be the correct shape for nitrogen trifluoride?

Answer 1

Answer:

trigonal pyramidal

Explanation:

In NF3, the nitrogen atom is sp3 hybridized. Now we must remember that according to the VSEPR theory, the number of electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom in a molecule determines its shape.

Here, the nitrogen atom is the central atom and its outermost shell is surrounded by four electron pairs - one lone pair and three bond pairs. This means that it has a tetrahedral electron pair geometry.

However, due to the lone pair, the three fluorine atoms are arranged in a  trigonal pyramidal geometry. Hence the correct shape of the molecule is trigonal pyramidal.