Question

How many single covalent bonds can nitrogen form?

Answer 1

Hint:The nitrogen is the chemical element with symbol N. The atomic number of oxygen is 7. The electronic configuration of nitrogen is $[He]2{s^2}2{p^3}$. In nitrogen 5 valence electrons are present.

Complete step by step answer:
The covalent compounds are formed when two or more than two combine with each other through covalent bonds. Covalent bonds are defined as the chemical bonds which are formed by the mutual sharing of electrons between the two atoms.
The single covalent bonds are formed when each atom shares one electron.
The double covalent bonds are formed when each atom shares two electrons.
The triple covalent bonds are formed when each atom shares three electrons.
The nitrogen is the chemical element present in the periodic table in group 15 and period 2. The nitrogen is a p-block element. The nitrogen is denoted by the symbol N. The atomic number (Z) is 7, so the resulting electronic configuration of the chemical element oxygen is $[He]2{s^2}2{p^3}$. The valence electrons in nitrogen is 5. It can either donate three electrons or gain three electrons to complete its octet rather than losing its five electrons. As for the formation of a single covalent bond, one electron is shared by each atom, thus nitrogen can share its three electrons to form 3 single covalent bonds.
Therefore, nitrogen can form 3 single covalent bonds.

Note:
Don’t get confused as in this question single nitrogen atom (N) is asked not for dinitrogen ${N_2}$. In dinitrogen two nitrogen atoms are bonded with each other by a triple bond as each nitrogen atom shares its three electrons to form a triple bond.