Nitrogen is in group 15. What is the charge of a nitrogen ion?
a
-3
b
-2
c
+1
d
+3
The charge of a nitrogen ion is -3.
The charge of a nitrogen ion depends on the number of electrons it gains or loses to achieve a stable electron configuration. Nitrogen typically has five valence electrons in its neutral state. It can either gain three electrons to achieve a full outer shell or lose all five electrons to have an empty outer shell. Therefore, the possible charges of a nitrogen ion are -3 when it gains three electrons (option a) or +3 when it loses all five electrons (option d).
To determine the charge of a nitrogen ion, we need to consider its position in the periodic table. Nitrogen is in group 15 of the periodic table, also known as Group VA.
Group 15 elements typically gain 3 electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, which is a full outer shell with 8 electrons. This means that a nitrogen atom will typically gain 3 electrons to form a nitrogen ion.
When an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged. Since nitrogen gains 3 electrons, its charge will be -3.
Therefore, the correct answer is option a, -3.