In a typical covalent compound, how many covalent bonds does a nitrogen atom usually form?

• A. One
• B. Three
• C. Four
• D. Two

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, as it is in group 15 of the periodic table.
2. Understand that nitrogen tends to complete its octet by sharing electrons through covalent bonds.
3. Since nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, it needs 3 more electrons to reach 8, which it achieves by forming 3 covalent bonds.
4. Each covalent bond involves sharing one pair of electrons between nitrogen and another atom.
5. Therefore, in a typical covalent compound, a nitrogen atom usually forms three covalent bonds to satisfy the octet rule.