Nitrogen Lone Bonds 00327C

1. **State the problem:** Determine the number of lone pairs and covalent bonds in a neutral nitrogen atom based on its Lewis dot symbol. 2. **Recall the electron configuration and valence electrons:** Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons. 3. **Lewis dot symbol for nitrogen:** It shows 5 dots around the symbol N, representing 5 valence electrons. 4. **Lone pairs and bonding electrons:** Lone pairs are pairs of electrons not involved in bonding. Each lone pair consists of 2 electrons. 5. **Calculate lone pairs:** With 5 valence electrons, nitrogen has 1 lone pair (2 electrons) and 3 unpaired electrons. 6. **Calculate covalent bonds:** Each unpaired electron can form one covalent bond. Therefore, nitrogen forms 3 covalent bonds. **Final answer:** A neutral nitrogen atom has 1 lone pair and 3 covalent bonds.