Which of the following choices will an atom of nitrogen (N) be most likely to bond with?

A. 2 calcium (Ca) atoms

B. 1 hydrogen (H) atom

C. 3 lithium (Li) atoms

D. 2 carbon (C) atoms

C. 3 Li

Explanation:

Nitrogen has 7 electrons, which you can find on a periodic table. Let's figure out what its valence is, or how many electrons are in its outer shell!

We know that the first shell is filled with 2 electrons. Then the next shell is filled when it has 8 electrons, but we've only got 7 - 2 = 5 electrons left.

So nitrogen N has 5 valence electrons. That means it wants to bind with something that can offer it 3 electrons to share.

A. 2 Ca atoms have 2 * 2 = 4 valence electrons.

B. 1 H atom has 1 valence electron.

C. 3 Li atoms have 3 valence electrons. This could be our winner! Check D anyways.

D. 2 C atoms have 4 * 2 = 8 valence electrons.

So the only one that works is C. 3 Li atoms.