Some of the properties of the two species, $\mathrm{NO}_3^{-}$ and $\mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{O}^{+}$are…

1. Dissimilar in hybridisation for the central atom with different structures
2. Isostructural with same hybridisation for the central atom
3. Isostructural with different hybridisation for the central atom
4. Similar in hybridisation for the central atom with different structures

Solution

$\begin{aligned} & \text { In } \mathrm{NO}_3^{-}, \\ & \mathrm{H}=\frac{1}{2}[5+0-0+1]=3 \end{aligned}$ Thus, in $\mathrm{NO}_3^{-}$, the central atom is $\mathrm{sp}^2$ hybridised and it has trigonal planar geometry. In $\mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{O}^{+}$, $\mathrm{H}=\frac{1}{2}[6+3-1+0]=4$ Thus, $\mathrm{O}$ is sp ${ }^3$ hybridised in $\mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{O}^{+}$and $\mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{O}^{+}$ has pyramidal geometry due to the presence of one lone pair of electrons.

Asked in: NEET 2010 (Mains)

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