Valence Electrons in Nitrogen (N)

Valence Electrons in Nitrogen

Determine the number of valence electrons in Nitrogen (N, Element 7)

Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Nitrogen

The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Nitrogen is:

[He] 2s² 2p³

Calculate Electronic Configuration for Nitrogen

Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration

Electrons in atomic orbitals outside the [He] core are the outermost electrons:

2s² 2p³

Step 3: Use the principle quantum number to identify the valence electrons

Extract the principle quantum number, n, and number of electrons from the electron configuration:

The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 2) are valence electrons.

Answer

Nitrogen (N) has 5 (2 + 3) valence electrons.