Draw the Lewis Dot Diagram for an N3 Anion

The Lewis dot diagram for the N³⁻ anion can be drawn by following several steps:

1. Count the total number of valence electrons in the nitrogen atom. Nitrogen (N) is in group 15 of the periodic table and has five valence electrons.
2. Since there are three nitrogen atoms in the N³⁻ anion, we multiply the number of valence electrons by three: 5 electrons/atom × 3 atoms = 15 valence electrons.
3. Next, account for the extra three electrons due to the negative charge of the anion: 15 electrons + 3 electrons = 18 valence electrons total.
4. To create the diagram, we’ll arrange the three nitrogen atoms in a row and start bonding them together. Each bond represents two electrons. So, we’ll form a triple bond between the two outer nitrogen atoms.
5. Distribute the remaining electrons: each nitrogen in the triple bond has a complete octet. Now, place the extra electron pairs around the central nitrogen atom.

The final Lewis structure shows the three nitrogen atoms bonded in a linear fashion with one nitrogen atom in the center and the other two bonded by triple bonds, giving each nitrogen atom an octet:

N≡N−N

The nitrogen atoms in the N³⁻ anion share those electrons, achieving stability through a complete octet. This shared electron configuration demonstrates how the N³⁻ anion achieves a negative charge and stability in its structure.