Use the periodic table to answer the question.

Question

An illustration shows the periodic table.

Which statement about nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is correct?

(1 point)
Responses

They have the same number of valence electrons.
They have the same number of valence electrons.

They are both inert.
They are both inert.

They are both classified as halogens.
They are both classified as halogens.

They have the same number of electron shells.

Answer 1

The correct statement about nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is:

They have the same number of valence electrons.

Both nitrogen and phosphorus are in the same group (Group 15) of the periodic table, which means they have the same number of valence electrons (5 valence electrons).

The other statements are incorrect:

• They are not both inert; nitrogen can form compounds, while noble gases such as helium and neon are considered inert.
• They are not classified as halogens; halogens are in Group 17.
• They do not have the same number of electron shells; nitrogen has 2 electron shells while phosphorus has 3.