Final answer:
The central atom in nitrous oxide, N₂O, is nitrogen due to it being less electronegative than oxygen and being the element that connects in the molecular structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central atom in molecules of nitrous oxide, N₂O, is nitrogen. In chemical compounds, the central atom is typically the least electronegative element that is not hydrogen. Nitrogen is to the left of oxygen on the periodic table (Group 5A vs. Group 6A), indicating that it is less electronegative. Furthermore, structural analysis of nitrous oxide shows that there are two nitrogen atoms bonded together and one of them is connected to the oxygen atom, placing nitrogen as the central component in the molecule. This follows the convention that the less electronegative atom tends to be central in the molecular structure. Therefore, among the given choices, the correct answer is 1) Nitrogen.