In the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound NF_3, how many lone pairs of electrons are present on the nitrogen atom?

• A. 3
• B. 2
• C. 0
• D. 1

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the total number of valence electrons for the nitrogen atom. Nitrogen is in group 15, so it has 5 valence electrons.
2. Recognize that in NF_3, nitrogen forms three single bonds with three fluorine atoms. Each bond uses one of nitrogen's valence electrons.
3. Calculate the number of electrons used in bonding by nitrogen: 3 bonds × 1 electron per bond = 3 electrons.
4. Determine the remaining valence electrons on nitrogen by subtracting bonding electrons from total valence electrons: 5 - 3 = 2 electrons.
5. Since a lone pair consists of 2 electrons, nitrogen has 1 lone pair of electrons in NF_3.