NEETChemistryClassification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties
What is the maximum covalency and the total number of valence orbitals, respectively, for a nitrogen atom?
Options
- A5 and 4
- B3 and 4
- C5 and 9
- D4 and 4
Correct answer
D. 4 and 4
Step-by-step solution
Nitrogen (atomic number 7 ) belongs to the second period ( n=2 ). Its electronic configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p³ . The valence shell is the second shell, which contains one 2s orbital and three 2p orbitals. Thus, the total number of valence orbitals is 4 . Because there are no d -orbitals in the second principal shell, nitrogen cannot expand its octet. Therefore, its maximum covalency is strictly limited to 4 (for example, in the ammonium ion, [NH₄]⁺ ). Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and a common ground-state valenc