Why does nitrogen have 5 valence electrons?

Nitrogen have 5 valence electrons because it has 5 electrons in its outermost shell.

Explanation: Nitrogen is the chemical element of atomic number 7, and largely occur as N₂ which is a colorless, odorless unreactive gas that forms about 78 percent of the earth's atmosphere. Valance electrons are the electrons which are present in the outermost shell of an atom. Nitrogen have 7 electrons and they are located in 2 shells. We know, 1st shell can contain maximum 2 electrons and 2nd shell can carry 8 electrons. Therefore out of 7 electrons of nitrogen 2 are present in 1st shell and rest 5 electrons are present in 2nd shell (which is the outermost orbit for nitrogen). That's the reason why nitrogen have 5 valence electrons.

Result: Nitrogen have 5 valence electrons.