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Multiple Choice
How many valence electrons does a nitrogen atom have?
A
7
B
5
C
2
D
3
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the atomic number of nitrogen, which is 7. This means nitrogen has 7 electrons in total.
Recall that electrons are arranged in energy levels (shells) around the nucleus. The first shell can hold up to 2 electrons, and the second shell can hold up to 8 electrons.
Distribute the 7 electrons of nitrogen into the shells: 2 electrons fill the first shell, and the remaining electrons go into the second shell.
The valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell. For nitrogen, the outermost shell is the second shell.
Count the electrons in the second shell: since 2 are in the first shell, the remaining 5 electrons are valence electrons.