Which species has the same shape as NH3? — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Note that NH3 has a trigonal pyramidal shape (3 bond pairs + 1 lone pair). Step 2: Determine the shapes of the options: CO3^2-, NO3^-, and SO3 are all trigonal planar (sp2 with 0 lone pairs). Step 3: The sulfite ion, SO3^2-, has 3 bond pairs and 1 lone pair on the central Sulfur atom, giving it a trigonal pyramidal shape. Therefore, it has the same shape as NH3, matching option (a).