How Many Valence Electrons Does Nitrogen Have? A hueless, inodorous, and flavorless nonmetallic element of the periodic table’s Group 15, Nitrogen is a vitally important one for all the living organisms in this world. Nitrogen plays a crucial role in the making of chlorophyll, which eventually is used in the photosynthesis process and which in turn is pivotal in the production of oxygen. So, it is apparent on the rising questions such as how many valence electrons does nitrogen have?
Nitrogen gas is the most abundantly available element in the Earth’s atmosphere which is about four-fifths of it. So, how many valence electrons does nitrogen have actually?
Let’s dive deeper into the concept of valency How Many Valence Electrons Does Nitrogen Have?
In chemistry, valency is interpreted as the property of an element that specifies the proper tally of atoms of other elements that can bond with the atom of the defined element. Simply put valency is a bonding capacity of an element.
So, the one present in the outermost shell of an atom that is ready to coalesce with another atom is known as valence electrons. And with an atomic number 7, people often misconstrue the number of valence electrons in nitrogen as 7. Then how many valence electrons does nitrogen have then?
Merits of the nitrogen components:
Before getting to the number of valence electrons in nitrogen, it is important to know how the components formed by blending two atoms are useful in many sectors.
- Nitric acid – a widespread commercial compound of nitrogen is a significant component used in the manufacturing of color dyes, drugs, explosives, and even in fertilizers.
- Nitrous oxides – famously known as ‘laughing gas’ are occasionally used in medications as an anesthetic.
- Nitrogen dioxides – is conducive to manufacturing nitric acid, and are employed in rocket fuels as an oxidizing agent.
- Boron nitride – hardness tantamount to that of diamonds, used in high-temperature abrasive.
How Many Valence Electrons Does Nitrogen Have?
So how many valence electrons does nitrogen have? With the help of electronic configurations of the nitrogen element, which (2,5) it is clear that the number of electrons in the outermost shell is 5. Thus, the valency of the nitrogen atom is five.
But to keep the element stable and because nitrogen is a diatomic molecule it is necessary to form triple bonds to complete its octet. So, the 3 anions are added to the outer shell. However, the answer to how many valence electrons does nitrogen have? Remains five.
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