Q
QuestionChemistry

Provide the Lewis structure or dot form for the nitrogen ion (N⁺).
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Answer

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Step 1:
: Determine the total number of valence electrons for the nitrogen ion (N⁺).

The nitrogen atom has 5 valence electrons. Since the ion has a positive charge, it has lost one electron. Therefore, the nitrogen ion (N⁺) has a total of 4 valence electrons.

Step 2:
: Place the nitrogen atom in the center of the Lewis structure.

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Nitrogen is less electronegative than most other atoms, so it will be in the center of the Lewis structure. \begin{tikzpicture} \draw (- 1,0) -- (1,0); \filldraw [black] (0,0) circle (2pt) node[anchor=north] {N}; \end{tikzpicture} \end{center}

Step 3:
: Distribute the remaining valence electrons around the nitrogen atom.

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Place one electron on each of the three remaining bonds: \begin{tikzpicture} \draw (- 1,0) -- (0,0); \draw (0,0) -- (1,0); \filldraw [black] (0,0) circle (2pt) node[anchor=north] {N}; \end{tikzpicture} \end{center}

Final Answer

\begin{center} \begin{tikzpicture} \draw (- 1,0) -- (0,0); \draw (0,0) -- (1,0); \filldraw [black] (0,0) circle (2pt) node[anchor=north] {N}; \end{tikzpicture} \end{center} This structure shows the nitrogen ion with a positive charge and an incomplete octet, which is consistent with its electron configuration as a cation.