Nitrogen

[Isis_DW_3G]

does Nitrogen follow the octet rule?

[Giselle Granda 3F]

I believe Nitrogen can follow the octet rule but there are some exceptions such as in nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, where there is an odd number of electrons that make it impossible to give N an octet. In this case, nitrogen acts as a stable free radical. Hope this helps!

[Katherine_Douglas_1F]

Nitrogen, as a general rule, follows the octet rule because it does not have a d orbital. Nitrogen is in the second row which means it only has a s and p orbital. d orbitals do not start until the third orbital. Phosphorus (one row down in the same group as Nitrogen), for example, does have the capability to have an expanded octet.

[Aydin Karatas 1F]

Nitrogen will follow the octet rule. The main exceptions to keep in mind are H and He might only have 2 valence electrons; Li and Be might only have 4 valence electrons; B might only have 6 valence electrons; and P, S, and Cl can have octets larger than 8 due to having an empty d-orbital.

Hope this helps.

[Rose_Malki_3G]

I believe Nitrogen, being that it is only in the 2nd row, does follow the octet rule