Allotropes Of Carbon

Step 1: Understanding the allotropes.
Nitrogen exists in two allotropic forms in the solid state: the -form (hexagonal) and the -form (cubic). These allotropes differ in their molecular arrangements in the crystal lattice.
Step 2: Stability comparison.
The -form, which is hexagonal, is more stable than the -form, which is cubic. This is due to the packing and the strength of bonds between nitrogen molecules in the respective lattice structures.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The hexagonal -form of nitrogen is more stable in the solid state than the cubic -form because the molecular packing in the hexagonal structure is more efficient, leading to greater stability.