Question: what are the differences between the elements in group 5a?
Answer: The Group 5A elements have five valence electrons in their highest-energy orbitals (ns2np3). Nitrogen, phosphorus, and arsenic can form ionic compounds by gaining three electrons, forming the nitride (N3-), phosphide (P3-) and arsenide (As3-) anions, but they more frequently form compounds through covalent bonding.