What is the expected charge on an ion of nitrogen? A. -3 B. +3 C. +8 D. +5
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. -3.
Explanation:
To determine the expected charge of a nitrogen ion, we need to consider the electron configuration of nitrogen and its position on the periodic table.
- Atomic Number and Electron Configuration:
Nitrogen has an atomic number of 7, which means it has 7 electrons. Its electron configuration is: 1s22s22p31s^2 2s^2 2p^31s22s22p3 This indicates that nitrogen has 5 valence electrons (from the 2s and 2p orbitals), and its goal is to achieve a stable electron configuration, typically resembling that of a noble gas (neon, in this case). - Tendency to Gain Electrons:
Since nitrogen is one electron short of having a full outer shell (it needs 3 more electrons to complete its octet), it tends to gain 3 electrons to achieve a stable configuration. This would give nitrogen a total of 10 electrons, which matches the electron configuration of neon. - Resulting Ion Charge:
When nitrogen gains 3 electrons, it becomes an anion (negatively charged ion) because it now has 3 more electrons than protons. Since nitrogen originally had 7 protons, the gain of 3 electrons results in a charge of -3. Hence, the expected charge on a nitrogen ion is -3.
This charge is consistent with the typical behavior of elements in Group 15 (the nitrogen group), which typically form ions with a charge of -3 when they gain electrons to fill their outer electron shells.
In summary, nitrogen typically forms an ion with a charge of -3, making A. -3 the correct answer.
