Nitrogen atoms can form three covalent bonds, so a triple bond forms between them. The structure of nitrogen is N≡N, showing that it has three shared pairs of electrons.

Nitrogen atoms can form three covalent bonds, so a triple bond forms between them. The structure of nitrogen is N≡N, showing that it has three shared pairs of electrons.

For instance, the three major bonds between atoms are single, double, and triple. Each “single” bond has two electrons—one from each atom. To continue the line of thinking, double bonds have ...