NEET2026ChemistryChapterActual
Identify the incorrect statement regarding the anomalous properties of nitrogen and other Group 15 elements.
Options
- ANitrogen is restricted to a maximum covalency of 4 since only four orbitals are available for bonding in its v
- BNitrogen exhibits a greater tendency for catenation than phosphorus due to its smaller atomic radius.
- CHeavier elements of Group 15 do not form p -p multiple bonds because their atomic orbitals are large and diffu
- DDinitrogen is chemically inert at room temperature due to the high bond enthalpy of the N N triple bond.
Correct answer
B. Nitrogen exhibits a greater tendency for catenation than phosphorus due to its smaller atomic radius.
Step-by-step solution
Nitrogen has a weaker tendency for catenation compared to phosphorus. This is because the N-N single bond is weaker than the P-P single bond. The smaller atomic size of nitrogen leads to high interelectronic repulsion between the non-bonding electrons on the adjacent nitrogen atoms, which weakens the N-N single bond. Therefore, the statement that nitrogen exhibits a greater tendency for catenation than phosphorus is incorrect. Nitrogen is restricted to a maximum covalency of 4 because it has only one 2s and three 2