# Nitrogen and hydrogen react together to form ammonia, NH₃. Explain why ammonia is a molecule and not an ionic compound, and describe the type of bonding present in ammonia.

> OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433) — 2.1 Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations · Explain · 5 marks

> Ammonia is a gas produced on a large industrial scale and is used in the manufacture of fertilisers. Its formula is NH₃.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Nitrogen and hydrogen are both non-metals
2. A molecule is a group of at least two atoms held together by covalent bonds
3. A covalent bond is a shared pair of electrons
4. Ionic compounds require a metal and a non-metal / ionic bonding involves transfer of electrons to form ions
5. Because no ions are formed / no electron transfer occurs, ammonia is a molecule not an ionic compound

## Key terms

- [molecule](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/molecule)
- [ionic compound](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ionic-compound)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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