How many covalent bonds do nitrogen atoms make and why?

Nitrogen makes 3 covalent bonds. It is in the second period of the periodic table and so has its outer electron in the second shell/energy level. This shell requires eight electrons in order to be filled.A full shell is a low energy/ stable arrangement of electrons and so atoms 'want' a full outer shell. Nitrogen is also in group 5 of the periodic table and so requires 3 more electrons to fill its' outer shell. Each covalent bond contains two electrons, one from each of the bonded atoms. Thus each covalent bond formed by an atom adds one additional electron to its' outer shell. Nitrogen thus makes 3 covalent bonds.

RT
Answered by Ronan t. Chemistry tutor

18058 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain why chlorine (Cl2) is a gas at room temperature, but sodium chloride (NaCl) is a solid at room temperature.


What are the different factors that contribute to bonding?


What is the difference between ionic and covalent bonding?


Predict the products of electrolysis of molten calcium chloride and explain which ions are at each electrode


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences