Q3 / 90 · JEE Main 2024 (30 Jan Shift 2) · Chemistry

Given below are two statements:
Statement-I: Since fluorine is more electronegative than nitrogen, the net dipole moment of NF3 is greater than NH3.
Statement-II: In NH3, the orbital dipole due to lone pair and the dipole moment of NH bonds are in opposite direction, but in NF3 the orbital dipole due to lone pair and dipole moments of N-F bonds are in same direction.
In the light of the above statements. Choose the most appropriate from the options given below.

  • A
    Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
  • Correct answer
    B
    Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
  • C
    Both statement I and Statement II is are true.
  • D
    Statement I is false but Statement II is are true.

Solution

The lone pair of nitrogen opposes the dipole moment of NF3 while it is added to the dipole moment of NH3
In NH3

Hydrogen is less electronegative than nitrogen, so all the electrons will move towards nitrogen. Due to this, all the vectors will be in the same direction and the summation will come to maximum.

In NF3

Fluorine is more electronegative than nitrogen, so all the electrons will move towards fluorine. Due to this, all the vectors will cancel each other and the summation will come to a minimum.

Figure

In NH3, the dipole moment vector of the bond and the lone pairs are in the same direction. But in NF3, the dipole moment vector of lone pairs and bond pairs are opposite in direction. So, the net dipole moment will be the subtractive effect of the two. Hence, the dipole moment of NH3 is larger than NF3.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'B'.

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