Nitrogen can ionically bond with an unknown element x from group 2. how many ions of element x are required to create a stable ionic compound with nitrogen? a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) there is not enough information.

Answer is: B) 3.

Nitrogen (nonmetal) in this compound has oxidation number -3 and element X (metal) has oxidation number +2.

Smallest common multiple for 3 and 2 is 6.

number of nitrogen atoms = 6 ÷ 3.

number of nitrogen atoms = 2, there are two nitrogen atoms.

number of atom X: 6 ÷ 2 = 3.

For example, Mg₃N₂ is magnesium nitride. Nitrogen has -3 oxidation number and magnesium has oxidation number +2.

the number of valence electrons for each molecule or ion is shown beneath the structure. remember hydrogen will not have more than two electrons. this hydrogen is part of a covalent bond (sharing two electrons). a double bond here would cause hydrogen to share four electrons with phosphorus.