Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the difference between an ionic bond and a covalent bond?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Chemical Bonds
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How many covalent bonds does a nitrogen atom typically form in a molecule?
A
3
B
2
C
4
D
1
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that nitrogen has 5 valence electrons because it is in group 15 of the periodic table.
Understand that nitrogen tends to form covalent bonds to complete its octet, aiming for 8 electrons in its valence shell.
Since nitrogen already has 5 valence electrons, it needs 3 more electrons to reach 8, which it achieves by forming 3 covalent bonds.
Recognize that each covalent bond involves sharing one pair of electrons between nitrogen and another atom.
Therefore, the typical number of covalent bonds formed by a nitrogen atom in a molecule is 3.
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