Chemistry: The Molecular Science (5th Edition)

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1285199049
ISBN 13: 978-1-28519-904-7

Chapter 5 - Electron Configurations and the Periodic Table - Questions for Review and Thought - Topical Questions - Page 240d: 93

Answer

This is due to how the shells fill.

Work Step by Step

We know that Nitrogen's neutral electron configuration (which is the same as that of C-) is extremely stable as the valence electrons are not forced to share orbitals with each other. However, since adding electrons to Nitrogen forces two electrons to share orbitals, this state is less stable and thus harder to achieve.
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