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The valency of nitrogen in NH3 is – (a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 1 (d) 2
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023
The valency of nitrogen in NH3 is 3. In the molecule ammonia, nitrogen has a valency of 3 (NH). Since nitrogen is in group 15 of the periodic table, its valence shell, which is its outermost shell, has five electrons. It is clear that 3 more electrons are needed to achieve a stable octet structure. As a result, it and hydrogen share electrons to create covalent bonds, changing its valency to 3. Three covalent bonds and one single pair of electrons make up ammonia.
Table of content
Valency of Nitrogen
Valency is defined as the number of electrons that must be gained or lost by an atom to get a stable electron configuration.
Electrons that are found on the outermost shell are called valence electrons and the number of valence electrons helps in finding the valency of an atom.
- The valencies of the elements of s and p-block elements of the periodic table are found using eight minus the number of valence electrons.
- In the d and f-block elements, we can find valency not only based on the valence electrons but also on d and f orbital electrons. The general valencies of d and f block elements are 2 and 3.
Summary:
The valency of nitrogen in NH3 is – (a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 1 (d) 2
The valency of nitrogen in NH3 is 3. As nitrogen is a group 15 element it has 5 electrons in the outermost shell.