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Atomic Structure

The Structure of a Nitrogen Molecule.

A nitrogen atom has 5 electrons in its outer shell.
Nitrogen is in group 5 of the periodic table.
Two nitrogen atoms will each share three electrons
to form three covalent bonds and make a nitrogen molecule  (N₂).

Note the 3 pairs (6 electrons) shared between the atoms.
Nitrogen has a triple bond. Each electron pair is one bond.
This is what makes nitrogen so unreactive (stable).

The structural formula of an nitrogen molecule is

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Copyright © 2008 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.