What is the Difference Between N2 and 2N?

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The difference between N2 and 2N lies in the arrangement and bonding of nitrogen atoms.

  • N2: This represents one molecule of nitrogen, consisting of two nitrogen atoms bonded together with a covalent bond. Nitrogen gas (N2) is a stable molecule and is the most common form of nitrogen found in nature.
  • 2N: This refers to two separate nitrogen atoms that are not bonded together. These free nitrogen atoms can easily react with other chemical elements to form nitrides. When two nitrogen atoms react with each other to form an excited N2 molecule, the reaction releases a lot of energy.

In summary, the key difference between N2 and 2N is that N2 is a stable molecular nitrogen, while 2N represents two separate nitrogen atoms that are highly reactive and can easily form bonds with other chemical elements.

Comparative Table: N2 vs 2N

The key difference between N2 and 2N is that N2 is molecular nitrogen or nitrogen gas, whereas 2N simply refers to two atoms of nitrogen. Here is a summary of their differences in a table:

Feature N2 2N
Description Molecular nitrogen or nitrogen gas Two atoms of nitrogen
Molecular Form Diatomic gas molecule Free nitrogen atoms
Reactivity Mostly inert Highly reactive

N2 is a diatomic gas molecule and can exist independently, while 2N refers to two separate nitrogen atoms that have not formed any bond. N2 is mostly inert, whereas 2N is highly reactive due to the free nitrogen atoms.