Question

Identify the radical associated with -3 valency ?

• A. Peroxide
• B. Nitrite
• C. Oxide
• D. Nitride

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Nitride

• An Atom or a group of atoms, when they either lose or gain electron(s) gets converted into ions.
• Ions formed by the loss of electron are positively charged and called cations.
• The ions formed by the gain of electron are negatively charged and called anions.
• The radicals retain their identity in a chemical reaction.
• All the elements try to attain the stable configuration of nearest inert gas by losing ,gaining or sharing of electrons.
• Eight electrons in the outermost shell is called octet configuration.

Explanation for correct answer

• (d) Nitride
• Atomic number of Nitrogen is 7 and its electronic configuration is 2,5.
• Nitrogen gain 3 electrons and gain 3 negative charges and changes to N^-3 (anion)
• Valency of nitride radical (N^-3 ) is 3
• eg: AlN (Aluminium nitride)

Explanation for the incorrect answer.

• (a)Peroxide ion is negative radical with formula O₂^-2 eg: H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide) , valency -2
• (b)Nitrite is a negative radical with formula NO₂^-1 eg: NaNO₂ (sodium nitrite) ,valency -1
• (c)Oxide is a negative radical with formula O^-2 eg: MgO (magnesium oxide), valency -2

There fore, the radical associated with -3 valency is Nitride and correct answer is option (d).