Question

What is the valency of nitrogen in :

1. NO
2. N₂O
3. NO₂

Answer 1

Valency of nitrogen in 

(i)

NO = = N¹ O¹ But valency of O = 2

Multiplying by 2

∴ `"N"^(1 xx 2)  "O"^(1 xx 2) = "N"^2"O"^2`

∴ Valency of nitrogen is 2

(ii)

N₂O =   = N¹ O²

∴ Valency of nitrogen is 1

(iii)

NO₂ =   interchanging the subscript and writing it as superscript.

`"N"^2"O"^1` but valency of O is 2

∴ Multiplying by 2 

`"N"^(2 xx 2)  "O"^(1 xx 2) = "N"^4"O"^2`

∴ Valency of nitrogen is 4