High School

Determine the total number of valence electrons in the nitrate ion, [tex]$NO_3^{-}$[/tex].

Number of valence electrons: [tex]$\square$[/tex]

Answer :

To determine the total number of valence electrons in the nitrate ion, [tex]\( NO_3^- \)[/tex], follow these steps:

1. Identify the number of valence electrons in each element:
- Nitrogen (N) has 5 valence electrons.
- Oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons.

2. Count the number of each element in the ion:
- The nitrate ion [tex]\( NO_3^- \)[/tex] consists of 1 nitrogen atom and 3 oxygen atoms.

3. Account for the additional electron due to the negative charge of the ion:
- Because the nitrate ion has a -1 charge, it has 1 extra electron.

4. Calculate the total number of valence electrons:
- Number of valence electrons from nitrogen: [tex]\( 1 \times 5 = 5 \)[/tex]
- Number of valence electrons from oxygen: [tex]\( 3 \times 6 = 18 \)[/tex]
- Additional electron due to the negative charge: [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex]

5. Sum all the valence electrons:
- Total valence electrons = [tex]\( 5 + 18 + 1 = 24 \)[/tex]

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons in the nitrate ion, [tex]\( NO_3^- \)[/tex], is [tex]\( 24 \)[/tex].