Number of electrons shared in the formation of nitrogen molecules is

Options

A. 6
B. 10
C. 2
D. 8

Explanation

To determine the number of electrons shared in the formation of nitrogen molecules (N₂), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Electron Configuration
The electron configuration of a nitrogen atom is \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^3\). Since a nitrogen molecule consists of two nitrogen atoms, we will consider the combined electron configuration for N₂, which will be \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6\).

### Step 2: Draw the Molecular Orbital Diagram
In the molecular orbital theory (MOT), we fill the molecular orbitals based on the energy levels. The order of filling for N₂ is:
- \( \sigma_{1s} \) (2 electrons)
- \( \sigma^*_{1s} \) (0 electrons)
- \( \sigma_{2s} \) (2 electrons)
- \( \sigma^*_{2s} \) (0 electrons)
- \( \sigma_{2p_z} \) (2 electrons)
- \( \pi_{2p_x} \) (2 electrons)
- \( \pi_{2p_y} \) (2 electrons)
- \( \pi^*_{2p_x} \) (0 electrons)
- \( \pi^*_{2p_y} \) (0 electrons)
- \( \sigma^*_{2p_z} \) (0 electrons)

### Step 3: Count the Bonding and Antibonding Electrons
- **Bonding Electrons**:
- \( \sigma_{1s} \): 2
- \( \sigma_{2s} \): 2
- \( \sigma_{2p_z} \): 2
- \( \pi_{2p_x} \): 2
- \( \pi_{2p_y} \): 2
- **Total Bonding Electrons** = \( 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 10 \)

- **Antibonding Electrons**:
- \( \sigma^*_{1s} \): 0
- \( \sigma^*_{2s} \): 0
- \( \sigma^*_{2p_z} \): 0
- \( \pi^*_{2p_x} \): 0
- \( \pi^*_{2p_y} \): 0
- **Total Antibonding Electrons** = \( 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 0 \)

### Step 4: Calculate the Bond Order
The bond order is calculated using the formula:
\[ \text{Bond Order} = \frac{(\text{Number of Bonding Electrons} - \text{Number of Antibonding Electrons})}{2} \]
Substituting the values:
\[ \text{Bond Order} = \frac{(10 - 0)}{2} = 5 \]

### Step 5: Determine the Number of Electrons Shared
Each bond consists of 2 electrons. Since the bond order is 3, the total number of electrons shared in the formation of the nitrogen molecule is:
\[ \text{Total Electrons Shared} = \text{Bond Order} \times 2 = 3 \times 2 = 6 \]

### Final Answer
The number of electrons shared in the formation of nitrogen molecules is **6**.

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