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NEET levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 1 of 3pn114

The maximum covalency shown by nitrogen is 4 because nitrogen

  1. Ahas an inert pair of electrons
  2. Bhas only three unpaired electrons and cannot form bonds with lone pair
  3. Chas no d orbitals in its valence shell
  4. Dhas a very large atomic size

Answer: C

Nitrogen has only 2s and 2p orbitals in its second shell, so it can accommodate at most four electron pairs, giving a maximum covalency of 4 (as in ). Heavier members use vacant d orbitals and can exceed 4.
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