How many unpaired electrons are present in a nitrogen atom? (2023)

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Question: How many unpaired electrons are present in a nitrogen atom? (2023)

Options:

Correct Answer: 3

Exam Year: 2023

Solution:

Nitrogen has an atomic number of 7, with the electron configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p³, resulting in 3 unpaired electrons in the 2p subshell.

How many unpaired electrons are present in a nitrogen atom? (2023)

How many unpaired electrons are present in a nitrogen atom? (2023)

Step 1: Identify the atomic number of nitrogen, which is 7.
Step 2: Understand that the atomic number indicates the number of electrons in a neutral atom.
Step 3: Write the electron configuration for nitrogen: 1s² 2s² 2p³.
Step 4: Break down the electron configuration: 1s² means 2 electrons in the first shell, 2s² means 2 electrons in the second shell, and 2p³ means 3 electrons in the second shell's p subshell.
Step 5: Focus on the 2p subshell, which has 3 electrons.
Step 6: Determine how many of these 3 electrons are unpaired. In the p subshell, electrons fill each orbital singly before pairing up. Therefore, all 3 electrons in the 2p subshell are unpaired.
Step 7: Conclude that nitrogen has 3 unpaired electrons.

Electron Configuration – Understanding how electrons are arranged in an atom's orbitals, particularly in the context of determining unpaired electrons.
Valence Electrons – Recognizing the significance of valence electrons in chemical bonding and reactivity, especially in the context of nitrogen.
Pauli Exclusion Principle – Applying the principle that no two electrons can have the same set of quantum numbers, which helps in determining the number of unpaired electrons.