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Step 1:I'll solve this problem step by step, explaining the electronic configuration of nitrogen.
Step 2:: Understand the Atomic Structure of Nitrogen
Nitrogen is the 7th element in the periodic table, with an atomic number of 7. This means it has 7 protons in its nucleus and 7 electrons in its neutral state.
Step 3:: Electron Configuration
The electron configuration of nitrogen is $$1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{3}
Step 4:: Valence Electron Determination
- Counting these electrons: $$2 + 3 = 5$$ valence electrons
Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell available for chemical bonding. For nitrogen: - The 2nd shell (n = 2) is the valence shell
Step 5:: Electronic Distribution
- $$2s$$ orbital contains 2 electrons
- 2p orbital contains 3 electrons - Total valence electrons = 5
Final Answer
Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons because its outer shell (n = 2) contains two 2s electrons and three 2p electrons, totaling 5 electrons available for chemical bonding.
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