Explain why nitrogen bonds with hydrogen to form NH3, but not NH2 or NH4. Use Lewis dot

Problem 1

Explain why nitrogen bonds with hydrogen to form , but not  or . Use Lewis dot structures to support your argument.

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The octet rule is a simple chemical rule that states that atoms tend to combine in such a way that they each have eight electrons in their valence shells, giving them the same electronic configuration as a noble gas.

The rule is applicable to the main group elements, especially carbon, nitrogen , oxygen and the halogens but also to metals such as magnesium.

According to this rule, molecules or ions tend to be most stable when the outermost electron shells of their atoms contain eight electrons.