Atomic number 7
Nitrogen
Nonmetal
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 14.007
- Group
- 15
- Period
- 2
- State (STP)
- gas
- Electronegativity
- 3.04
- Common ox. states
- -3, +3, +5
Properties
Electron configuration
[He] 2s² 2p³
- Ionization energy
- 1402.3 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- -7.0 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 63.15 K (-210.0 °C)
- Boiling point
- 77.36 K (-195.8 °C)
How it bonds
Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons. It forms 3 bonds and keeps 1 lone pair — that lone pair is what makes ammonia (NH₃) basic and lets nitrogen donate electrons to metal centres. Two N atoms can also share three pairs (N≡N), the strong triple bond that makes N₂ inert at room temperature.
Where you meet it
- Build AmmoniaNH₃
- Build Hydrogen cyanideHCN
- Build NitrogenN₂
- Periodic Quest challengeunlock card