Atom
Regarding the following nitrogen,
7
N
15
D
Q. How many protons, neutrons, electrons does the nitrogen atom contain?
Protons
neutrons
electrons
Q. How many electrons are there in the first shell, second shell, and the third shell?
Lenci
the first shell
the second shell
and the third shell
Q. How many valence electrons are there in the nitrogen atom?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons in Nitrogen-15 (¹⁵N)
- Protons: 7
- Neutrons: 8
- Electrons: 7
The nitrogen atom (symbol: N) has an atomic number of 7, which means it contains 7 protons in its nucleus. The given isotope is Nitrogen-15, meaning its mass number is 15. The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons, so to find the number of neutrons:
Neutrons = Mass Number – Protons = 15 – 7 = 8.
Since nitrogen is a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, meaning nitrogen has 7 electrons.
Electron Distribution in Shells
Electrons in an atom are arranged in shells (energy levels) following the 2n² rule:
- First Shell (K-shell): Holds a maximum of 2 electrons.
- Nitrogen has 2 electrons in this shell.
- Second Shell (L-shell): Holds a maximum of 8 electrons.
- Nitrogen has 5 electrons in this shell.
- Third Shell (M-shell): Holds a maximum of 18 electrons, but since nitrogen has only 7 total electrons, the third shell is empty (0 electrons).
Valence Electrons in Nitrogen Atom
- Valence electrons are the electrons present in the outermost shell of an atom.
- For nitrogen, the outermost shell is the second shell, which contains 5 electrons.
- This means nitrogen has 5 valence electrons.
Explanation (300 Words)
Nitrogen is an essential element in chemistry and biology, commonly found in the atmosphere and organic compounds. The nitrogen atom is represented by the symbol N, with an atomic number of 7. This means it has 7 protons in its nucleus and, in the case of the Nitrogen-15 isotope, 8 neutrons.
The number of electrons in a neutral nitrogen atom is also 7, ensuring an overall charge balance. These electrons are distributed in different shells according to the 2n² rule. The first shell (K-shell) holds a maximum of 2 electrons, and the second shell (L-shell) holds the remaining 5 electrons, as nitrogen only has 7 electrons in total. The third shell (M-shell) remains empty.
The valence electrons, or the electrons in the outermost shell, determine an element’s chemical reactivity. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, making it three electrons short of a stable octet (8 electrons). This property allows nitrogen to form bonds with other elements, such as hydrogen in ammonia (NH₃) or oxygen in nitrogen oxides.
Nitrogen’s ability to form triple bonds (as seen in nitrogen gas, N₂) makes it a crucial element in biological molecules like proteins and DNA. Its valency of 3 allows it to form stable covalent bonds, making it essential in various chemical and industrial processes, including fertilizers and explosives.
Now, I’ll generate an image representing the nitrogen atom and its structure.
Here is an educational diagram of a nitrogen atom (N-15), illustrating its protons, neutrons, and electron arrangement. Let me know if you need any modifications or additional details!