Element 7 · Reactive nonmetal
Nitrogen (N) — Element 7
Greek nitron genes — niter-forming
Nitrogen (N) is a reactive nonmetal in Period 2, Group 15 of the periodic table with atomic number 7, standard atomic weight 14.007 u, and ground-state electron configuration [He] 2s² 2p³. At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a gas with 5 valence electrons and common oxidation states -3, +3, +5.
Fertilizer, inert atmospheres, explosives
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Nitrogen?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 7
- Standard atomic mass
- 14.007 u
- Chemical family
- Reactive nonmetal
- Ground-state configuration
- [He] 2s² 2p³
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 5
- Valence electrons
- 5
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- -3, +3, +5
- Phase at STP
- Gas
- Pauling electronegativity
- 3.04 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 1,402 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 56 pm
- Melting point
- -210 °C
- Boiling point
- -196 °C
- Discovery year
- 1772
- Table coordinate
- Period 2, Group 15
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Nitrogen’s shells?
A neutral Nitrogen atom contains 7 electrons distributed across 2 occupied principal energy shells ([He] 2s² 2p³). The table below compares Nitrogen’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in N | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 5 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Nitrogen (N)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Nitrogen (N)?
Nitrogen (N) has atomic number Z = 7 (7 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 14.007 u. It sits in Period 2, Group 15 and is classified as a reactive nonmetal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Nitrogen?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Nitrogen (Z = 7) is [He] 2s² 2p³. Across its 2 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 2), the electrons per shell are 2, 5, with 5 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Nitrogen?
Nitrogen commonly forms -3, +3, +5 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 3.04 and its first ionization energy is 1,402 kJ/mol.
When was Nitrogen discovered and what is it used for?
Nitrogen was discovered in 1772 (Greek nitron genes — niter-forming). Fertilizer, inert atmospheres, explosives
How does Nitrogen compare to neighboring elements?
Other reactive nonmetal elements: