Question

If the boron nitride molecule, bn, were to form, what would its structure look like? add bonds and lone pairs as necessary.

Answer 1

Answer: The structure for the boron nitride molecule will be linear.

Explanation: When boron and nitrogen combine together to form a compound, the boron element will loose 3 electrons which will be easily accepted by the nitrogen element.

Boron : Atomic number is 5

Electronic configuration:
`1s^22s^22p^1`

To attain stable configuration, boron will loose 3 electrons easily.

Nitrogen : Atomic number is 7

Electronic configuration:
`is^22s^22p^3`

To attain stable configuration. nitrogen will gain 3 electrons easily.

Hence, to form a molecule with these two elements, there will be 3 bonds present in between them and 1 pair of lone pair will be left on the nitrogen atom.

Structure of boron nitride ( which is linear) is attached in the image below.