Answer: nitrogen has no d-orbitals in its valence shell.
- A nitrogen is more electronegative than phosphorus
- B nitrogen has a smaller atomic size than phosphorus
- C nitrogen has no d-orbitals in its valence shell
- D nitrogen forms stronger pi-bonds than phosphorus
Correct answer: C. nitrogen has no d-orbitals in its valence shell
Explanation: Nitrogen's valence shell (n=2) has no d-orbitals, so it can use only s and p orbitals, limiting covalency to 4; phosphorus has vacant 3d orbitals allowing expansion to 5 or 6.
Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF4) has six electron domains around xenon — four Xe–F bonds plus two lone pairs. The lone pairs occupy opposite axial positions, leaving the four fluorine atoms in a square-planar shape (Xe–F ≈ 194 pm). Image: ChemSim, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Concept context
Covers the nitrogen family (Group 15), oxygen family (Group 16), halogens (Group 17), and noble gases (Group 18). One of the highest-weightage inorganic chapters in NEET and JEE - includes preparation and properties of HNO₃, H₂SO₄, interhalogens, and xenon compounds.