Question

Nitrogen is a group 15 element. What does being in this group imply about the structure of the nirtrogen atom?

Answer 1

Answer:

Being in the group 15 implies these facts about the structure of nigrogen:

• The valence shell is represented by the general form  ns² np³, and more specific 2s² 2p³.

• Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons
• 2 valence electrons are in the orbital 2s
• 3 valence electrons are in the orbitals 2p.

Explanation:

The number of the group is related with the valence electron shell of the elements:  for the representative elements, the ones digit of the group number is equal to the number of valence electrons

This table shows that relation:

Group number       Ones digit          number of valence electrons

1                               1                              1

2                              2                             2

13                             3                             3

14                             4                             4

15                             5                            5

16                             6                            6

17                              7                            7

18                              8                            8

Then, you can conclude quickly that, being nitrogen in the group 15, it has 5 valence electrons.

Also, you can have a more detailed information about the structure of the nitrogen atom from the fact that it is a group 15 element, because, the valence shell of all the group 15 elements is represented by the general form ns² np³.

That form means:

• Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons
• n is the principal quantum number (main energy level) and it is 2 (second period or row).
• 2 valence electrons are in the orbital 2s
• 3 valence electrons are in the orbitals 2p.