Nitrogen group

This group has the defining characteristic that all the component elements have 5 electrons in their outermost shell, that is 2 electrons in the s subsshell and 3 in the p subshell. They are therefore 3 electrons short of filling their outermost electron shell in their non-ionized state.

The most important element of this group is Nitrogen N, which in its diatomic form is the principle component of air.

Other members of the group include Phosphorus P, Arsenic As, Antimony Sb, and Bismuth Bi.