Question

What is group 5A called?

Answer 1

Group 5A:

• In the periodic table, group 5A consists of Pnictogens: the nonmetals Nitrogen $\left(\mathrm{N}\right)$ and Phosphorus $\left(\mathrm{P}\right)$, the metalloids Arsenic $\left(\mathrm{As}\right)$ and Antimony $\left(\mathrm{Sb}\right)$, and the metal Bismuth $\left(\mathrm{Bi}\right)$.
• All of these elements are solids at room temperature except nitrogen which is a gas.
• Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Arsenic can form ionic compounds by gaining three electrons, forming the Nitride (${\mathrm{N}}^{3-}$), Phosphide (${\mathrm{P}}^{3-}$), and Arsenide (${\mathrm{As}}^{3-}$) anions, but they form compounds more frequently by covalent bonding.
• Both Antimony and Bismuth can lose either their outermost $\mathrm{p}$ electrons to form $+3$charges, or their outermost $\mathrm{s}$ and $\mathrm{p}$ electrons to form $+5$ charges.
• This group of elements belongs to the Group 15 of the periodic table.

Hence, group 5A is called Pnictogens.