Question

identify the correct lewis structure for ni₃. select the single best answer.

Explanation:

Nitrogen (N) has 5 valence electrons and iodine (I) has 7 valence electrons. In $NI_3$, nitrogen is the central atom. It forms single - bonds with three iodine atoms. Each iodine atom has 3 lone pairs of electrons and nitrogen has 1 lone pair of electrons to satisfy the octet rule. The correct Lewis structure has single bonds between N and I and appropriate lone - pairs.

Answer:

The third structure (from the top) where nitrogen is single - bonded to three iodine atoms and each iodine has 3 lone pairs and nitrogen has 1 lone pair is the correct Lewis structure for $NI_3$.