The number of electrons in the valence shell of nitrogen is A. 7
B. 5
C. 3
D. 4

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Atomic number 7 means nitrogen has 7 electrons. Its ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p3, so the outermost (n = 2) shell contains the valence electrons.

1) Relevant concepts:
- Atomic number = number of protons = number of electrons in a neutral atom.
- Electron configuration lists how electrons occupy shells/subshells (1s, 2s, 2p, ...).
- Valence electrons = electrons in the highest principal quantum number (outermost shell) for main-group elements.
- For main-group elements, group number relates to valence electrons (group 15 elements have 5 valence electrons).

2) Step-by-step reasoning:
- Atomic number of N = 7 → total electrons = 7.
- Fill shells in order: 1s holds 2 electrons, then 2s holds 2, then 2p holds the remaining 3.
- Write configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p3.

3) Intermediate steps / calculation:
- 1s2 → 2 electrons in first shell (n = 1).
- 2s2 → 2 electrons in second shell (n = 2).
- 2p3 → 3 electrons in second shell (n = 2).
- Total in outermost shell (n = 2) = 2 (from 2s) + 3 (from 2p) = 5 valence electrons.

4) Why the correct answer is correct:
- Valence electrons are those in n = 2 for nitrogen; summing 2s and 2p electrons gives 5, so nitrogen has 5 valence electrons.

5) Why other options are incorrect:
- A (7): 7 is the total number of electrons, not the number in the valence shell.
- C (3): 3 counts only the 2p electrons, omitting the 2s electrons that are also valence electrons.
- D (4): 4 would be the valence count for carbon (atomic number 6), not nitrogen.

Conclusion: The number of electrons in the valence shell of nitrogen is 5, so the correct choice is B.

The number of electrons in the valence shell of nitrogen is A. 7 B. 5 C. 3 D. 4Single choice

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