What is the Lewis Structure of N₂?

What is the Lewis Structure of N₂? The Lewis structure of N₂ has nitrogen bound to the other nitrogen by a triple bond, with a one pair of electrons on each nitrogen atom. The molecule is linear.

What is this molecule and what is it used for?

N₂, known commonly as nitrogen, molecular nitrogen or diatomic nitrogen, is the most common element in our atmosphere, accounting for over 70% of the air we breathe. N₂ is inert, meaning it does not react with much, which means it has a lot of use in our world.

Method 1: Step method to draw the Lewis structure of N₂.

In this method, we find the bonds and lone pairs for the whole molecule, then plug it in to the atoms that we have to get the answer. Here is a little flow chart of how we are going to do this:

We will go through the steps below, but one thing to note here is that all the valence electrons (step 1) are either lone pairs OR bonding electrons. In other words…. Lone Pairs (Step 5) + Bonding electrons (Step 3) = Valence electrons (Step 1) . Let’s go through this example so we can see this a little more clearly.

Step 1: Find valence e- for all atoms. Add them together.

N-5 x 2
Total=10

Step 2: Find octet e- for each atom and add them together.

N-8 x 2
Total=16

Step 3: Gives you bonding e-. Subtract step 1 total from step 2
16-10=6e-

Step 4: Find number of bonds by diving the number in step 3 by 2(because each bond is made of 2 e-)
6e-/2= 3 bond pairs

Step 5: Find the number of nonbonding (lone pairs) e-. Subtract step 3 number from step 1.
10-6= 4e-=2 lone pair

Now, use the information from step 4 and 5 to draw the Lewis structures. Remembering too (this is important):

Neutral nitrogen has three bonds and one lone pair

[Note: For more information on the natural state of common atoms, see the linked post here.]

Nitrogen is the only atom we are dealing with here, so lets put them in the center (obviously). We have determined there are three bonds in the molecule, which means the nitrogen atoms are triple bonded to each other. One lone pair then goes on each atom to complete the octet.

Another (easier) method to determine the Lewis structure of N₂:

Alternatively a dot method can be used to draw the Lewis structure.
Calculate the total valence electrons in the molecule.
N : 1×5 = 10
Total = 10 valence electrons

Now, treat the atoms and electrons like puzzle pieces. Each nitrogen atoms gets 5 valence electrons. We now have to rearrange electrons to make sure everyone has an octet. Start with nitrogen as the central atoms and make a single bond to each atom, then start changing the lone pairs to bonding electrons to make sure everyone get an octet.

Frequently asked questions:

Q: So what is the difference between the two methods?

A: In the first method, we are figuring out all of the lone pairs and bonds first, then placing those electrons and bonds on the atoms to form a molecule. In the puzzle method, we already have lone pairs and bonding electrons assigned to each atom, so all we need to do is push puzzle pieces together to get a molecule. In each method, we need to remember the “happy state” of each atom, ei hydrogen likes 1 bond and no lone pairs, uncharged carbon likes four bonds and no lone pairs ect.

And now some video:

This is a quick video we put together that visually demonstrates the two methods for Lewis structure and Lewis dot problems.

And finally, the Lewis structure study guide:

Here it is, this is our one-page guide to Lewis Dot and Lewis Structures:

Lewis structure study guide