Multiple Choice
For the element arsenic (As), how many electron shells are completely filled in its ground state electron configuration?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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What happens when a nitrogen atom fills its valence shell?
A
It becomes highly reactive and forms more bonds.
B
It achieves a stable octet configuration and becomes chemically inert.
C
It loses all its electrons and becomes a cation.
D
It gains a positive charge and acts as an oxidizing agent.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that a nitrogen atom has 5 valence electrons in its outer shell.
Recall the octet rule, which states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full valence shell of 8 electrons, leading to greater stability.
When nitrogen fills its valence shell by gaining 3 electrons (or sharing electrons through bonding), it achieves a stable octet configuration.
Achieving this stable octet makes the nitrogen atom chemically inert or less reactive because it has a full outer shell.
Therefore, the correct interpretation is that when nitrogen fills its valence shell, it attains stability and becomes chemically inert, rather than becoming reactive or charged.
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