When one or more of the bonding pairs of electrons is replaced with a lone pair, the molecular geometry (actual shape) of the molecule is altered. In keeping with the A and B symbols established in th...When one or more of the bonding pairs of electrons is replaced with a lone pair, the molecular geometry (actual shape) of the molecule is altered. In keeping with the A and B symbols established in the previous section, we will use E to represent a lone pair on the central atom (A). In the ammonia molecule, one of the electron pairs is a lone pair rather than a bonding pair. Because of the greater repulsion of a lone pair, it is one of the equatorial atoms that are replaced by a lone pair.
