Discuss the general characteristics of Group $15$ elements with reference to their electronic configuration,oxidation state,atomic size,ionisation enthalpy and electronegativity.

(N/A) General trends in Group $15$ elements:
$(i)$ Electronic configuration: All the elements in Group $15$ have $5$ valence electrons. Their general electronic configuration is $ns^{2} np^{3}$.
$(ii)$ Oxidation states: All these elements have $5$ valence electrons and require three more electrons to complete their octets. The common oxidation states are $-3, +3$ and $+5$. The stability of the $+5$ oxidation state decreases down the group,while the stability of the $+3$ oxidation state increases due to the inert pair effect.
$(iii)$ Ionization enthalpy and electronegativity: First ionization enthalpy decreases on moving down the group due to increasing atomic size. Similarly,electronegativity decreases down the group as the atomic size increases.
$(iv)$ Atomic size: On moving down the group,the atomic size increases due to the addition of new electron shells.