What is the valence of nitrogen?

The valence of nitrogen is determined by the number of electrons it needs to gain, lose, or share to achieve a full outer shell of electrons, following the octet rule. Nitrogen has five electrons in its outer shell and requires three additional electrons to fill this shell and reach a stable configuration. This means nitrogen commonly forms three covalent bonds when it reacts with other elements, which is characteristic of its valence of three.

In molecular compounds, such as ammonia (NH₃) or nitrogen trichloride (NCl₃), nitrogen forms these three bonds by sharing its unpaired electrons with other atoms. This bond formation is essential in molecular and biochemical processes, highlighting the importance of nitrogen in various organic and inorganic compounds. Understanding nitrogen's valence is crucial in predicting its behavior in chemical reactions and its role in biological systems.