Answer
The nitrogen will have one lone pair.
The first oxygen will have two lone pairs.
The second oxygen will have three lone pairs.
Work Step by Step
For the nitrogen:
1. Find the amount of electrons that the atom has:
A nitrogen with a neutral formal charge has 5 electrons on the valence shell.
2. Calculate the difference between this number and the number of bonds.
5 electrons - 3 bonds = 2 free electrons
2 free electrons = 1 lone pair
For the first oxygen:
1. Find the amount of electrons that the atom has:
An oxygen with a neutral formal charge has 6 electrons on the valence shell.
2. Calculate the difference between this number and the number of bonds.
6 electrons - 2 bonds = 4 free electrons
4 free electrons = 2 lone pairs
For the second oxygen:
1. Find the amount of electrons that the atom has:
An oxygen with a negative formal charge has 7 electrons on the valence shell.
2. Calculate the difference between this number and the number of bonds.
7 electrons - 1 bond =6 free electrons
6 free electrons = 3 lone pairs
