Question

What is the maximum covalency of the nitrogen atom?

• A. One
• B. Two
• C. Three
• D. Four

Answer 1

The correct option is D Four

Covalency of an atom refers to the number of electrons that atom can share to form chemical bonds. Usually it is the number of bonds formed by the atom. In case of nitrogen, its atom can share up to four electrons, one in the s-subshell and the other three in the p-subshell. In addition to this, absence of d-orbitals restricts its covalency to four only. Hence option (d) is correct.