Multiple Choice
Which of the following Lewis dot structures correctly represents a neutral nitrogen atom (N)?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
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Which of the following is an acceptable Lewis structure for the diatomic nitrogen molecule (N_2)?
A
N≡N with no lone pairs on either nitrogen atom
B
N=N with each nitrogen atom having two lone pairs
C
N≡N with each nitrogen atom having one lone pair
D
N–N with each nitrogen atom having three lone pairs
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that a Lewis structure represents the valence electrons of atoms, showing bonds as shared electron pairs and lone pairs as non-bonded electrons around atoms.
Determine the total number of valence electrons for the N₂ molecule. Each nitrogen atom has 5 valence electrons, so total valence electrons = 5 × 2 = 10.
Consider the possible bond types between the two nitrogen atoms: single bond (N–N), double bond (N=N), or triple bond (N≡N). Each bond corresponds to 2, 4, or 6 shared electrons respectively.
Check the octet rule for each nitrogen atom in each proposed structure. Nitrogen atoms tend to have 8 electrons around them (bonding + lone pairs). For example, in the triple bond structure, each nitrogen shares 6 electrons in the bond and should have 1 lone pair (2 electrons) to complete the octet.
Evaluate each given structure against the total valence electrons and the octet rule to identify which Lewis structure is acceptable. The correct structure will have a total of 10 electrons accounted for and each nitrogen atom with a complete octet.
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