Lewis structure of N2

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The Lewis structure of N₂ contains a triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms, and each nitrogen atom has one lone pair.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of N₂:

#1 draw skeleton
#2 Show chemical bond
#3 Mark lone pairs
#4 Complete octet on central atom
#5 Calculate formal charge and check stability

Let’s one by one discuss each step in detail.

#1 Draw skeleton

In this step, first calculate the total number of valence electrons. And then, decide the central atom.

• Let’s calculate the total number of valence electrons

We know that… nitrogen is a group 15 element. Hence, nitrogen has five valence electrons.

Now N₂ has two nitrogen atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of nitrogen atom × 2

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 5 × 2 = 10

• Now decide the central atom

There are two nitrogen atoms in N₂. Hence, we can assume any one as the central atom. Let’s assume that right nitrogen is the central atom.

So now, put two nitrogens next to each other. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of N₂ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of NO₃^– (5 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

Place two electrons between the atoms to show a chemical bond as follows:

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 10 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used two valence electrons. Hence, eight valence electrons are remaining.

Two valence electrons represent one lone pair. So eight valence electrons = four lone pairs.

Note that nitrogen is a period 2 element, so it can not keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell.

Also, make sure that you start marking these lone pairs on outside atoms first. And then, on the central atom.

The outside atom is left nitrogen, so left nitrogen will get three lone pairs. And the central atom (right nitrogen) will get one lone pair.

So the Lewis structure of N₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the outside atom. But, the central atom (right nitrogen) doesn’t form an octet.

So in the next step, we have to complete the octet on the central atom.

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of CH₄ (3 steps)

#4 Complete octet on central atom

Remember that nitrogen is a period 2 element, so it can not keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell.

Now the right nitrogen already has four valence electrons. Hence, the right nitrogen needs four more valence electrons to complete its octet.

So convert two lone pairs from the left nitrogen atom to make a new bond with the right nitrogen atom. And then, the Lewis structure of N₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (right nitrogen), and also on the outside atom. Therefore, the octet rule is satisfied.

After completing the octet, one last thing we need to do is, calculate the formal charge and check the stability of the above structure.

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of CH₂O (5 steps)

#5 Calculate formal charge and check stability

The following formula is used to calculate the formal charges on atoms:

Formal charge = valence electrons – nonbonding electrons – ½ bonding electrons

Collect the data from the above structure and then, write it down below as follows:

• For each nitrogen atom

Valence electrons = 5
Nonbonding electrons = 2
Bonding electrons = 6

Formal charge = 5 – 2 – ½ (6) = 0

Mention the formal charges of atoms on the structure. So the Lewis structure of N₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both nitrogens are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of N₂.

And each horizontal line drawn in the above structure represents a pair of bonding valence electrons.

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Related

• Lewis structure of NO₃^–
• Lewis structure of CH₄
• Lewis structure of CH₂O
• Lewis structure of O₂
• Lewis structure of CO

External video

• Lewis Dot Structure for N2 – Wayne Breslyn

External links

• N2 Lewis Structure – Learn With Dr. Scott
• What is the Lewis structure of N2? – Socratic
• N2 Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• N2 Lewis Structure, Geometry – Kemicalinfo
• Lewis Structure for N2 (Dinitrogen or Nitrogen Gas) – The University of Maryland
• What is the Lewis Structure for N2 (nitrogen gas)? – Quora
• N2 Lewis Structure | Hybridization, MO Diagram – UO Chemists
• What is the Lewis structure for N2? – Homework.Study.com
• N2 Lewis Structure| Hybridization & Molecular Geometry – What’s Insight
• Nitrogen (N2) Molecule Lewis Structure – Chemistry School
• N2 Lewis Structure, n2 lewis dot structure Assignment Help – HND Assignment
• Lewis Dot of Dinitrogen N2 – Kent’s Chemistry
• N2 Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, and Hybridization – Techiescientist
• Chemical Bonding: N2 Lewis Structure – The Geoexchange
• How to draw N2 Lewis Structure – Science Education and Tutorials
• What is the Lewis dot structure for N2 look like? – Answers
• What is the correct Lewis structure for N2? – Chegg