Question
16. Nitrogen has five valence electrons For this reason, it often bonds to gain three electrons. Based on the arrangement of the elements in the periodic table, which other element MOST likely shows similar behavior? A. neon B. carbon C. oxygen D. phosphorus
Answer
4.3
(352 Votes)
Piper
Veteran · Tutor for 11 years
Answer
D. phosphorus
Explanation
Nitrogen has five valence electrons, which means it needs three additional electrons to complete its valence shell and achieve a stable octet configuration. To find another element with similar behavior, we should look at elements in the same group (column) as nitrogen on the periodic table. Elements in the same group have similar properties because they have the same number of valence electrons. Nitrogen is in group 15 (also known as Group V). The element phosphorus is also in group 15 and thus has five valence electrons. Consequently, phosphorus also typically forms three bonds to gain three additional electrons and complete its octet, similar to nitrogen.Neon and carbon are in different groups: Neon is a noble gas with a full valence shell, and carbon has four valence electrons. Oxygen, while having six valence electrons, often forms two bonds to obtain two more electrons rather than three.