Hybridisation of central N atom in `N_(2) O` is

Options

A. `sp`
B. `sp^(2)`
C. `sp^(3)`
D. sp & `sp^(2)`

Answer

To determine the hybridization of the central nitrogen atom in the molecule \( N_2O \), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Determine the Valence Electrons
- **Nitrogen (N)** has an atomic number of 7, with the electron configuration of \( 1s^2 2s^2 2p^3 \). Therefore, nitrogen has 5 valence electrons.
- **Oxygen (O)** has an atomic number of 8, with the electron configuration of \( 1s^2 2s^2 2p^4 \). Therefore, oxygen has 6 valence electrons.

### Step 2: Draw the Lewis Structure
- In \( N_2O \), there are two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
- The total number of valence electrons is \( 5 + 5 + 6 = 16 \) valence electrons.
- To complete the octets, we can arrange the electrons as follows:
- One nitrogen atom will form a triple bond with the other nitrogen atom (sharing three pairs of electrons).
- The nitrogen atom that is bonded to oxygen will form a coordinate bond with oxygen, sharing one pair of electrons.

### Step 3: Identify the Bonds and Lone Pairs
- The nitrogen that is bonded to oxygen will have:
- 1 sigma bond with oxygen (from the coordinate bond).
- 1 sigma bond with the other nitrogen atom.
- 2 pi bonds with the other nitrogen atom.
- This nitrogen atom will also have 1 lone pair of electrons.

### Step 4: Determine the Hybridization
- The hybridization can be determined by the number of regions of electron density around the nitrogen atom:
- 2 sigma bonds (1 with oxygen and 1 with nitrogen).
- 1 lone pair.
- This gives a total of 3 regions of electron density.

### Step 5: Identify the Hybridization Type
- According to the VSEPR theory, if there are 2 regions of electron density, the hybridization is \( sp \).
- If there are 3 regions of electron density, the hybridization is \( sp^2 \).
- If there are 4 regions of electron density, the hybridization is \( sp^3 \).
- In this case, since we have 3 regions of electron density (2 sigma bonds and 1 lone pair), the hybridization of the central nitrogen atom in \( N_2O \) is \( sp^2 \).

### Final Answer
The hybridization of the central nitrogen atom in \( N_2O \) is \( sp \).

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