Question

As compared to nitrogen, oxygen is
(a) less electronegative and less reactive
(b) more electronegative and less reactive
(c) more electronegative and more reactive
(d) less electronegative and more reactive

Answer 1

Answer:

As compared to nitrogen, oxygen is more electronegative and more reactive

• REASON FOR STABILITY

The electronic configuration of nitrogen is: [He]2$s^{2}$ 2$p^{3}$

The electronic configuration of oxygen is: [He] 2$s^{2}$ 2$p^{4}$

1. Both have valence electrons in 2p orbitals.
2. Oxygen has partially filled 2p orbitals which is less stable due to spin pair electronic repulsion between 2 electrons
3. On the other hand nitrogen has half filled or singly filled orbitals having no spin pair electronic repulsion. Hence, nitrogen is more stable.

• REASON FOR MORE ELECTRONEGATIVITY

1. Oxygen has 8 protons in the nucleus whereas nitrogen only has 7.
2. A bonding pair of electrons will experience more attraction from the oxygen's nucleus that from nitrogen's, thus the electronegativity of oxygen is greater.

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Answer 2

Answer:

The correct option is option (C).

Explanation:

• Molecular nitrogen is less reactive than molecular oxygen.
• On the Pauling scale the electronegativity of nitrogen and oxygen are respectively 3.0 and 3.5.
• Oxygen has 8 protons in the nucleus while nitrogen only has 7

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