What is "a nitride ion has 7 protons?

A nitride ion, represented as N3-, is an ion that has a charge of -3. This means that the ion has gained three extra electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. Since neutrons do not have an electric charge, the nitride ion still has 7 protons, which remain unchanged in comparison to the neutral nitrogen atom. This also means that the nitride ion has a total of 10 electrons, as opposed to the 7 electrons in a neutral nitrogen atom. Nitrogen typically forms nitride ions in ionic compounds with metals, such as in the compound sodium nitride (Na3N).