Multiple Choice
Can chlorine expand its octet when forming chemical compounds?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Octet Rule
Multiple Choice
How many shared electrons are around the oxygen atom?
A
4
B
2
C
6
D
10
E
8
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the Lewis structure shown: it is a molecule with a central carbon atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, where the oxygen atom has lone pairs of electrons.
Recall that shared electrons are those involved in covalent bonds between atoms. In this structure, the oxygen atom shares electrons with the carbon atom through a double bond (two pairs of shared electrons).
Count the number of shared electrons around the oxygen atom by considering the electrons in the bonds between oxygen and carbon. Each bond represents 2 shared electrons.
Since there is a double bond between oxygen and carbon, multiply the number of bonds (2) by 2 electrons per bond to get the total shared electrons around oxygen.
Do not include the lone pairs (non-bonding electrons) on oxygen when counting shared electrons, as they are not shared with another atom.
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