* nitrogen: 1s2 2s2 2p3
* stable half-filled structure
* Taking an e— from N would make it **less stable** (higher energy)
* Oxygen: 1s2 2s2 2p4
* one e— beyond stable
* Taking an e— from oxygen would make the atom **more stable** (lower energy)
* It is easier to remove an e— from O (creating stability) than it is to remove one from N (destroying stability)
* True for Be/B, N/O, Mg/Al, P/S, Ca/Ga, As/Se