Question

How many pairs of electrons are shared between the nitrogen atoms in the triple bond of the nitrogen molecule?

Answer 1

`"Why, 6 electrons..............so three pairs"`

Explanation:

Each nitrogen atom has 5 valence electrons. When two nitrogen atoms bind to form the dinitrogen molecule, each atom provides 3 electrons to give the treble bond, and the remaining pair of electrons is a non-bonding lone pair, i.e. to give `:N-=N:`.

Typically a single covalent bond results from the sharing of 2 electrons between 2 atoms, e.g. `H_3C-CH_3`, and a double covalent bond results from the sharing 4 electrons between 2 atoms..........e.g. `H_2C=CH_2`.