Nitrogen atom in 3D
Air, proteins and fertilisers. Nitrogen is part of amino acids and nucleic acids. Nitrogen gas is a major ingredient of air and is used to make ammonia. Explore the 3D model, inspect its parts and learn with guided explanations. Free on Atlas.
What you can learn
Air, proteins and fertilisers. Nitrogen is part of amino acids and nucleic acids. Nitrogen gas is a major ingredient of air and is used to make ammonia.
Identify nitrogen from its proton count.
Count the neutrons in Nitrogen-14.
Inspect the occupied electron shells.
Compare the valence shell with a neighbouring element.
Explain what changes when an electron is lost.
The nitrogen atom shown here is not the N₂ molecule found in air. Two nitrogen atoms share a triple bond in N₂.
Try an investigation
Identify nitrogen from its proton count.
Check your understanding
What identifies an atom as nitrogen?
7 protons. Atomic number is proton count. Every nitrogen nucleus has 7 protons.
How many neutrons are in Nitrogen-14?
7. Neutrons = mass number − atomic number = 14 − 7 = 7. Mass number is not the average atomic weight of natural samples.
How many electrons are in a neutral nitrogen atom?
7. A neutral atom balances 7 positive protons with 7 negative electrons.
Which shell count describes neutral nitrogen in its ground state?
2, 5. [He] 2s² 2p³ gives 2, 5 electrons across its occupied shells. Circular paths are only diagram guides.
If this atom loses one electron, what happens to its net charge?
It becomes +1. Losing one negative electron leaves one more proton than electrons. Its 7 protons still identify it as nitrogen.
What can this 3D shell model tell you reliably?
The particle counts for the selected neutral isotope. The counts represent a defined isotope and neutral atom. Particle sizes, spacing and circles are simplified teaching symbols.
Sources and model scope
An educational representation. The explorer identifies its data sources, scale choices and simplifications.