Nitrogen has a combining capacity of 3, as each nitrogen atom can contribute three electrons to form three shared pairs of electrons, resulting in the formation of a triple bond.
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Nitrogen has a combining capacity of 3, as each nitrogen atom can contribute three electrons to form three shared pairs of electrons, resulting in the formation of a triple bond.
The combining capacity of nitrogen, often referred to as its valency, is variable depending on the specific compound. Nitrogen typically exhibits a valency of 3, forming three covalent bonds by sharing electrons in compounds like ammonia (NH₃) and ammonium (NH₄⁺). However, in certain compounds, such as nitrogen gas (N₂), nitrogen can exhibit a valency of 2, forming a triple covalent bond between nitrogen atoms. Additionally, in oxides like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), nitrogen can display a valency of 4, contributing to its versatile role in various molecular structures and allowing nitrogen to engage in diverse chemical reactions.