Two distinct molecules are classified as "isosters" if they contain identical numbers of atoms and i — Nuclear Chemistry and Radioactivity Chemistry Question
Question
Two distinct molecules are classified as "isosters" if they contain identical numbers of atoms and identical numbers of total electrons. Nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) is a known isoster of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Calculate the total number of electrons present in one single molecule of $N_2O$.
Answer: 22
💡 Solution & Explanation
Nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) consists of two Nitrogen atoms and one Oxygen atom. A neutral Nitrogen atom has $7$ electrons, and a neutral Oxygen atom has $8$ electrons. Total number of electrons in $N_2O = (2 \times 7) + 8 = 14 + 8 = 22$ electrons. (This perfectly matches $CO_2$ which has $6 + 2(8) = 22$ electrons).
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