How many unpaired electrons are present in a nitrogen atom’s sublevels?

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation:

• The atomic number of nitrogen is 7.
• The electron configuration is: 1s² 2s² 2p³.
• In the 2p sublevel, there are 3 electrons.
• According to Hund’s rule, electrons occupy degenerate orbitals singly before pairing up. So, the three 2p orbitals each get one electron.
• This means there are 3 unpaired electrons in the 2p sublevel.

Therefore, a nitrogen atom has 3 unpaired electrons.