Nitrogen (N): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Nitrogen (N) is element 7 of the periodic table, a reactive nonmetal in period 2, group 15. Its electron configuration is [He] 2s2 2p3, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 5, and its standard atomic weight is 14.007 u.
💡 Makes up about 78% of the air you breathe.
▶ Watch Nitrogen’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableNitrogen at a glance
| Symbol | N |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 7 |
| Atomic mass | 14.007 u |
| Category | Reactive nonmetal |
| Group | 15 |
| Period | 2 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p3 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [He] 2s2 2p3 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 5 |
| Outer-shell electrons | 5 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 3.04 |
| State at 20 °C | gas |
Experiments with nitrogen
🌳 Silver tree
Copper wire in silver nitrate grows a sparkling tree of silver crystals.
🩸 Fe³⁺ thiocyanate test
A drop of thiocyanate turns iron(III) solutions blood red.
💙 Copper–ammonia complex
Ammonia first gives pale-blue Cu(OH)₂, then a stunning deep-blue complex.
🧊 Hot & cold packs
Dissolving salts can absorb heat (NH₄NO₃) or release it (CaCl₂, NaOH).
Where is Nitrogen on the periodic table?
Nitrogen is in period 2, group 15, in the p-block. The period number matches its 2 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Phosphorus sits directly below it. Elements in one group have the same number of outer-shell electrons (5 here), which is why they react in similar ways.
How to work out the electron configuration of Nitrogen
Put 7 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p³ (7). In shorthand, [He] stands for the 2 electrons of helium, giving [He] 2s² 2p³.
How electronegative is Nitrogen?
Nitrogen has a Pauling electronegativity of 3.04, ranking 4 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is high: it pulls shared electrons strongly towards itself in a bond.
Nitrogen in the virtual lab
Faradium’s chemistry workbench includes these chemicals that contain nitrogen: Potassium nitrate, Ammonium chloride, Ammonium nitrate, Dilute nitric acid, Conc. nitric acid, Ammonia solution, Silver nitrate, Lead(II) nitrate, Potassium thiocyanate, Ammonia cylinder. Open the Chemistry Lab to experiment with them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Nitrogen?
The electron configuration of Nitrogen (N) is 1s2 2s2 2p3. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [He] 2s2 2p3.
How many electrons does Nitrogen have in each shell?
Nitrogen has 7 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 5. It has 5 electrons in its outer shell.
What is the atomic mass of Nitrogen?
The standard atomic weight of Nitrogen is 14.007 u, so one mole of Nitrogen atoms has a mass of about 14.007 g.
Is Nitrogen a metal?
No. Nitrogen is a reactive nonmetal.
Explore nearby elements
More reactive nonmetals: Hydrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Selenium. See all elements on the periodic table.