Question

below is the lewis structure of the hydrogen cyanide (hcn) molecule. h : c ::: n : count the number of bonding pairs and the number of lone pairs around the nitrogen atom in this molecule. bonding pairs: lone pairs:

Explanation:

Step1: Identify bonding pairs

In the Lewis structure of H - C≡N, the nitrogen is triple - bonded to carbon and carbon is single - bonded to hydrogen. Each bond represents a bonding pair. So there are 3 bonding pairs around nitrogen (from the triple bond with carbon).

Step2: Identify lone pairs

Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons. In the HCN molecule, it uses 3 of its valence electrons for bonding (in the triple bond with carbon). So the number of non - bonding (lone) electrons is 2, which is 1 lone pair.

Answer:

bonding pairs: 3
lone pairs: 1