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Carbon and nitrogen are adjacent in the Periodic Table - CIE - A-Level Chemistry - Question 32 - 2013 - Paper 1
Question 32
Carbon and nitrogen are adjacent in the Periodic Table. Which properties do they both have? 1. There is an empty 2p orbital in one atom of the element. 2. The prin... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Carbon and nitrogen are adjacent in the Periodic Table - CIE - A-Level Chemistry - Question 32 - 2013 - Paper 1
Step 1
There is an empty 2p orbital in one atom of the element.
Answer
Both carbon and nitrogen have their outermost electronic configuration in the 2nd shell. Carbon has the configuration 1s² 2s² 2p², whereas nitrogen has 1s² 2s² 2p³. Although nitrogen has filled the 2p subshell more, it can still be inferred that carbon, with two electrons in the 2p orbital, has available space to accommodate more electrons, thus possesses an empty 2p orbital configuration.
Step 2
The principal quantum number of the highest occupied orbital is 2.
Answer
The highest occupied orbital for both elements is indeed in the second shell, thus the principal quantum number is 2 for both carbon and nitrogen. This can be deduced from their electron configurations, confirming that their highest energy electrons are present in the n=2 shell.
Step 3
They form compounds in which their atoms form bonds with four other atoms.
Answer
Carbon is known for forming four covalent bonds due to its tetravalent nature, allowing it to bond with four other atoms. While nitrogen typically forms three covalent bonds, it can also engage in dative or coordinate bonding, effectively allowing it to bond with more than three atoms in certain circumstances. Thus, both elements are capable of forming compounds where they interact with multiple atoms.