Question

Use the periodic table to answer the question. Which statement about nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is correct? (1 point) Responses They have the same number of electron shells. They have the same number of electron shells. 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 are both inert.

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 both have five valence electrons. The other statements are incorrect because:

• Nitrogen has 2 electron shells, while phosphorus has 3 electron shells.
• Nitrogen and phosphorus are not classified as halogens; they are nonmetals but belong to the nitrogen group.
• They are not both inert; noble gases like helium and neon are considered inert.

So, the correct and only valid statement is that nitrogen and phosphorus have the same number of valence electrons.