Group 15 Elements

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and bismuth are all members of the nitrogen family of chemicals (Bi). The electron configuration ns2np3 is found in the outer shells of all Group 15 elements, where n is the primary quantum number. Group 15’s p-block contains the nitrogen family.

Group 15 Elements Can Be Found

Nitrogen is found in the air at a concentration of 78 parts per million. In its free state, it exists as a diatomic gas, N2.

Phosphorus is required for proper function in both animals and plants. Phosphate groups exist in nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. Phosphates make up over 60% of bone and tooth structure.

Egg yolks, milk, and bone marrow all contain phosphoproteins. The remaining members of the group, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth are mostly found in sulphides. Stibnite, arsenopyrite, and bismuth glance are some examples of these minerals.

Nitrogen’s Exceptional Behaviour

The principal member of the group has characteristics that are distinct from the other components. Nitrogen differs from the other elements in the group in terms of its properties. Nitrogen’s exceptional qualities are influenced by the following factors:

• Its nuclear size is small.

• Ionisation enthalpy or electronegativity is a term that refers to the amount of energy required to ionise a substance.

• d-orbitals aren’t present.

• The ability to form a wide range of connections.

Nitrogen family

All nitrogen compounds are ultimately produced from the unusually stable N2(g) nitrogen gas. The electronic structure of N2(g) is stable because the bond between the two nitrogen atoms is a triple covalent bond that is strong and difficult to break. Breaking the bonds in N2 causes a large endothermic enthalpy change: H = +945.4 kJ. Nitrogen gas is utilised as a refrigerant, as well as a metal treatment and as a pressured gas for oil recovery. Furthermore, the Gibbs energies of nitrogen compound production reveal that the process is nonspontaneous and does not happen at room temperature.

Nitrous oxide (N2O), nitrogen oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide are the oxides and oxyacids of nitrogen (NO2). Nitrous oxide, popularly known as “laughing gas,” is used in dental procedures, childbirth, and to speed up automobiles. Smog and neurotransmitters both include nitrous oxide. N2H4 (hydrazine) is a toxic, colourless liquid that explodes when exposed to air. Hydrazine is an excellent reducer, and methyl hydrazine is a frequent rocket fuel.

Periodic Trends

All Group 15 elements tend to follow the general traits:

• As the group progresses, electronegativity (the capacity of an atom to attract electrons) declines.

• The amount of energy required to remove an electron from an atom in its gas phase decreases as you progress down the group.

• The size of atomic radii grows as the group progresses.

• Down the group, electron affinity (an atom’s capacity to take an electron) declines.

• Melting point (the amount of energy required to break bonds in order to convert a solid phase substance to a liquid phase substance) rises as you progress through the group.

• The boiling point (the amount of energy required to break bonds and convert a liquid to a gas) rises as the group progresses.

• The group becomes more metallic as it progresses.

Uses of Group 15 Elements

1. Two of the elements that are required for life to exist are nitrogen and phosphorus.
2. The majority of the Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen gas, or N2. Pnictides are pnictogen compounds that are diatomic. Pnictide atoms form a triple covalent bond because of their valency.
3. Matches, fireworks, and fertilizer all include phosphorus. Phosphoric acid is another product made from it.
4. Arsenic is a highly poisonous metal. It’s been used as both a poison and a rodenticide in the past.
5. Antimony is used to produce alloys.
6. Bismuth is a chemical used in medicine, paint, and as a catalyst.

Conclusion 

Scheele and Priestley first discovered nitrogen in 1770. This non-metallic element is found in nature as a non-combustible gas with no colour, taste, or odour. Nitrogen has the highest electronegativity of all the elements in Group 15, making it the most non-metallic. Nitrogen has the following oxidation states: +5, +3, and -3. Nitrogen makes up around 0.002% of the earth’s crust, yet it makes up 78% of the atmosphere by volume. In the atmospheres of Venus and Mars, nitrogen has also been identified. The atmospheres of Venus and Mars contain 3.5 percent nitrogen and 2.7 percent nitrogen, respectively. Animal and plant proteins, as well as the fossilised remains of ancient plant life, contain nitrogen. Niger, KNO3, and soda nitre, NaNO3, are major nitrogen-containing minerals that can be found in desert areas and are used in fertilisers. Nitrogen supplies were scarce before the discovery of the process of turning nitrogen into ammonia. The Haber-Bosch process is a crucial step in the conversion of nitrogen to ammonia. The solubility of nitrogen in liquids is quite low. Allotropes do not exist in N2.