What is the shape of the dinitrogen molecule?
linear
bent
trigonal planar
tetrahedral
The dinitrogen molecule has a linear shape, with the two nitrogen atoms bonded together in a straight line. The molecule has a bond angle of 180 degrees.
Incorrect options
2) bent: A molecule with a bent shape has a central atom with two or more bonding pairs of electrons and one or more lone pairs, resulting in a bent or V-shaped geometry. However, dinitrogen does not have any lone pairs of electrons, so it cannot have a bent shape.
3) trigonal planar: A molecule with a trigonal planar shape has a central atom with three bonding pairs of electrons and no lone pairs, arranged in a flat triangle with 120-degree bond angles. However, dinitrogen only has two nitrogen atoms bonded together, so it cannot have a trigonal planar shape.
4) tetrahedral: A molecule with a tetrahedral shape has a central atom with four bonding pairs of electrons and no lone pairs, arranged in a 3D tetrahedral shape with 109.5-degree bond angles. However, dinitrogen only has two nitrogen atoms bonded together, so it cannot have a tetrahedral shape.