Question

How to calculate the valency of nitrogen?

Answer 1

Nitrogen

• The atomic number of nitrogen is 7 and belongs to group 15.
• Electronic configuration $1{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^3.$
• The last p orbital is filled by 3 electrons.
• Here the outermost shell (Valence shell) is 2s and 2p level.

Valency is the number of electrons gained/lost or shared by an atom to achieve the noble gas configuration.

Valency of nitrogen

• Since the outermost shell (Valence shell) is 2s and 2p level.
• Valence electrons will be present in 2s and 2p.
• Total valence electrons are calculated below

$2+3=5\mathrm{electrons}.$

• It has 5 electrons in the valence shell, so it requires 3 electrons to complete its octet.

Therefore, the valency of nitrogen is 3.