Why does oxygen occur as O_2, and nitrogen as N_2?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 1, 2016

Because the "oxygen atom" is unstable with respect to the "oxygen molecule", and likewise for the "nitrogen atom".

Explanation:

The stable forms of the element are "dioxygen" and "dinitrogen". Of course, we can form the atoms of each element, however, we would have to expend considerable energy to do so, i.e. we would to have to break strong element-element bonds:

O=O + Delta rarr 2O etc.

Under certain circumstances, bent, triatomic ozone can form, but these are exceptional, O_3-=^(-)O-O^(+)=O.

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