Question

Based on the octet rule, nitrogen most likely forms a __ion.

a) N3+
b) N3-
d) N2+
c) N2

Answer 1

Nitrogen forms an N3- ion according to the octet rule because it gains three electrons to achieve a full octet like the noble gas neon, resulting in a nitride ion. So the correcct option is b.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the octet rule, nitrogen most likely forms a N3- ion. Nitrogen, being in group 15 of the periodic table, is a nonmetal and tends to form negative ions or anions, to reach a stable electron configuration. In order to have the same number of electrons as the noble gas neon, a nitrogen atom must gain three electrons. Therefore, the nitrogen atom forms an anion with a charge of 3-, which is represented by the symbol N³-, known as the nitride ion.

For instance, when aluminum (Al) and carbon (C) react to form an ionic compound, aluminum, being a metal, will lose electrons to become a cation with a positive charge, specifically Al3+. On the other hand, carbon will gain four electrons to form a cation with a negative charge of 4-, represented by C4-. Aluminum forms the Al³+ cation, and carbon forms the C4- anion.

Answer 2

b) N3-

Step-by-step explanation:

The octet rule stipulates that a chemical specie is stable if it has eight electrons in its outermost shell.

Nitrogen belongs to group 15. This means that it has five electrons in its outermost shell. The formation N3- means that it accepted three electrons.

This brings the total number of outermost electrons to eight in accordance with the octet rule.