Is Nitrogen Gas (N2) Ionic or Covalent?
Is Nitrogen Gas (N2) ionic or covalent?
N2 has a triple bond between two identical nitrogen atoms. The EN difference is zero, making it a purely covalent, nonpolar molecule.
| Formula | N2 |
| Name | Nitrogen Gas |
| Bond Type | Nonpolar Covalent |
| EN Values | N: 3.04, N: 3.04 |
| EN Difference | 0 |
| Electron Behavior | Equal sharing |
| Melting Point | -210 C (extremely low) |
| Conductivity | Does not conduct electricity |
| Solubility | Very slightly soluble in water |
| Key Concept | Nonpolar triple bond between identical atoms |
Overview
Nitrogen gas makes up 78% of Earth's atmosphere. Two nitrogen atoms share three pairs of electrons in a very strong triple bond.
Electronegativity Analysis
Both atoms are N with EN 3.04. The difference is 0.0 - a perfectly nonpolar bond.
Electron Behavior
Six electrons are shared equally in the triple bond. The bond is extremely strong (945 kJ/mol), making N2 very unreactive.
Physical Properties
N2 is a colorless, odorless gas. Its extremely low boiling point (-196 C) reflects very weak London dispersion forces between the nonpolar molecules.
See electronegativity values, partial charges, and bond character on interactive 3D molecules.
Visualize Nitrogen Gas's Bonding in 3DRelated Topics
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Interactive Periodic Table
Explore electronegativity trends across all 118 elements