Question

Use the periodic table to answer the question. Which statement about nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is correct? (1 point) Responses 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 valence electrons. They have the same number of valence electrons. 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 Group 15 of the periodic table, which means they each have five valence electrons. The other statements are incorrect:

• They are not inert; nitrogen can react in many compounds, and phosphorus also has various reactive forms.
• They are not classified as halogens; halogens belong to Group 17.
• They do not have the same number of electron shells; nitrogen has two electron shells, while phosphorus has three.