Nitrogen is a group 15 element. What does being in this group imply about the structure of the nirtrogen atom?

Being in the group 15 implies these facts about the structure of nigrogen:

The valence shell is represented by the general form ns² np³, and more specific 2s² 2p³. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons 2 valence electrons are in the orbital 2s 3 valence electrons are in the orbitals 2p.

Explanation:

The number of the group is related with the valence electron shell of the elements: for the representative elements, the ones digit of the group number is equal to the number of valence electrons

This table shows that relation:

Group number Ones digit number of valence electrons

1 1 1

2 2 2

13 3 3

14 4 4

15 5 5

16 6 6

17 7 7

18 8 8

Then, you can conclude quickly that, being nitrogen in the group 15, it has 5 valence electrons.

Also, you can have a more detailed information about the structure of the nitrogen atom from the fact that it is a group 15 element, because, the valence shell of all the group 15 elements is represented by the general form ns² np³.

That form means:

Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons n is the principal quantum number (main energy level) and it is 2 (second period or row). 2 valence electrons are in the orbital 2s 3 valence electrons are in the orbitals 2p.