Textbook Question
Draw the Lewis structure of the methoxide ion ( CH3O-). Draw the Lewis structure of a proton (H+) . To which atom of methoxide would you expect a proton to add?
1. A Review of General Chemistry
Lewis Structure
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How many valence electrons does a nitrogen atom have, and how many bonds does a neutral nitrogen atom typically make?
A
Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and typically makes 5 bonds.
B
Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and typically makes 3 bonds.
C
Nitrogen has 7 valence electrons and typically makes 1 bond.
D
Nitrogen has 3 valence electrons and typically makes 3 bonds.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of nitrogen, which is 7. This indicates that a neutral nitrogen atom has 7 electrons.
Determine the electron configuration of nitrogen. The electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p³, which shows that nitrogen has 5 electrons in its outer shell (2s² 2p³).
Understand that the electrons in the outer shell are the valence electrons. Therefore, nitrogen has 5 valence electrons.
Recognize that a neutral nitrogen atom typically forms 3 covalent bonds to achieve a stable octet configuration. This is because it needs 3 more electrons to complete its octet.
Conclude that nitrogen typically makes 3 bonds in compounds, such as in ammonia (NH₃), where nitrogen shares its 3 unpaired electrons with hydrogen atoms.
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