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Why can a molecule with the structure of NBr_ not exist? (A) Nitrogen only has two energy levels and is thus unable to expand its octet. (B) Bromine is much larger than nitrogen and cannot be a terminal atom in this molecule. (C) It is impossible to complete the octets for all six atoms using only valence electrons. (D) Nitrogen does not have a low enough electronegativity to be the central atom of this molecule.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The reason a molecule with the structure of NBr_ cannot exist is because it is impossible to complete the octets for all six atoms using only the available valence electrons. The correct choice is (C).

Step by step solution

01

Determine the Electron Configurations of Nitrogen and Bromine

By looking at their positions in the periodic table, Nitrogen (N), which belongs to group 15, has 5 valence electrons. Bromine (Br), which belongs to group 17, has 7 valence electrons. So, nitrogen cannot bond with more than 3 bromine atoms without violating the octet rule.
02

Analyze Each Answer Choice

(A) This choice incorrectly assumes nitrogen cannot expand its octet due to it having only two energy levels. It is true that nitrogen is in the second period of the periodic table and elements in this period generally do not expand their octets. But, nitrogen can actually form five bonds (for instance, in ammonium ion, NH4+). (B) This choice inaccurately assigns physical size as a deterrent to bond formation, which is irrelevant as long as bonding rules are obeyed. (C) This is the correct choice, because it is indeed impossible to complete the octets for all six atoms using the available valence electrons. (D) This choice incorrectly focuses on the electronegativity of nitrogen, which concerns its electron attracting ability, not its potential to form bonds.
03

Determine the Best Answer

By considering the electron configurations of nitrogen and bromine, and examining the answer choices, we find that the best answer is (C). This is because this response correctly points out the impossibility to complete the octets for all six atoms using only the available valence electrons.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Octet Rule
The octet rule is a fundamental concept in chemistry that helps us understand how atoms bond. It states that atoms are most stable when they have eight electrons in their outer shell. This rule is based on the electronic configuration of noble gases, which are very stable because they have full outer shells.
Atoms strive to achieve a full outer shell through bonding. This can be done by sharing, gaining, or losing electrons. For example, nitrogen typically forms three bonds to achieve an octet, while bromine usually forms one bond.
The octet rule is crucial when predicting the molecular structure and understanding why certain molecules, like NBr鈧, cannot exist. If there aren't enough electrons to fill the octets of all atoms involved, the molecule is not stable.
Electron Configuration
Electron configuration refers to how electrons are distributed in an atom. For each element, this information is crucial for predicting chemical properties and how atoms bond.
Nitrogen's electron configuration is 1s虏 2s虏 2p鲁, meaning it has five electrons in its outer shell, or "valence shell." Bromine's electron configuration, however, is 1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦 3s虏 3p鈦 3d鹿鈦 4s虏 4p鈦, giving it seven valence electrons.
Understanding electron configuration helps us see why nitrogen often forms three bonds to achieve an octet, whereas bromine, needing only one more electron to complete its octet, typically forms only one bond. In hypothetical molecules like NBr鈧, the electron configuration reveals that there are not enough electrons to satisfy the octet rule for all involved atoms.
Valence Electrons
Valence electrons are the electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom. These electrons are significant because they determine how atoms interact and bond with each other.
Nitrogen has five valence electrons, as identified by its position in group 15 of the periodic table. These electrons allow nitrogen to form up to three covalent bonds with other atoms to fulfill its octet requirement.
Bromine, located in group 17, has seven valence electrons, meaning it typically forms one bond to achieve an octet. In a molecule like NBr鈧, requiring all bonds to have octets is impossible, as the valence electrons from both nitrogen and bromine cannot meet the needs of eight electrons around each atom.
Periodic Table
The periodic table is a systematic way of organizing elements based on their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. It serves as a very useful tool in predicting how elements behave in a reaction.
The position of nitrogen and bromine in the periodic table helps to understand their bonding potential. Nitrogen, located in the second period and group 15, has five valence electrons. Bromine, in the fourth period and group 17, has seven valence electrons.
Using the periodic table, we recognize that nitrogen is limited to forming three covalent bonds due to its position in the second period, where elements typically cannot expand their octets. This understanding helps predict why a molecule like NBr鈧 cannot feasibly exist.
Chemical Bonding
Chemical bonding is the interaction that holds atoms together in molecules. The main types of bonds include covalent, ionic, and metallic bonds.
Covalent bonds, which occur when atoms share electrons, are very important in the case of nitrogen and bromine. Typically, nitrogen forms three covalent bonds, while bromine forms one. These bonds are formed to fulfill the octet rule, making the atom more stable.
However, as seen in the molecule NBr鈧, fulfilling the octet for all atoms involved is not possible due to limited valence electrons. Therefore, understanding chemical bonding principles helps explain the molecular limitations and stability of potential compounds.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

1.50 g of \(\mathrm{NaNO}_{3}\) is dissolved into 25.0 \(\mathrm{mL}\) of water, causing the temperature to increase by \(2.2^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) . The density of the final solution is found to be 1.02 \(\mathrm{g} / \mathrm{mL}\) . Which of the following expressions will correctly calculate the heat gained by the water as the NaNO, dissolves? Assume the volume of the solution remains unchanged. (A) \((25.0)(4.18)(2.2)\) (B) \(\frac{(26.5)(4.18)(2.2)}{1.02}\) (C) \(\frac{(1.02)(4.18)(2.2)}{1.50}\) (D) \((25.0)(1.02)(4.18)(2.2)\)

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