Question

Using electron-dot diagrams which show only the outermost shell electrons, show how a molecule of nitrogen, N₂, is formed from two nitrogen atoms. What name is given to this type of bonding?

(Atomic number of nitrogen is 7)

Answer 1

Since nitrogen has 5 electrons in its outermost shell so, to achieve the 8-electron structure of an inert gas, it needs 3 more electrons and hence combines with another nitrogen atom to form a molecule of nitrogen gas.

This type of bonding is called covalent bonding.