Which of the following is the correct Lewis dot symbol for a neutral atom of oxygen (O)?

• A. O with eight dots arranged evenly around the symbol
• B. O with four dots arranged as single dots on four sides
• C. O with six dots arranged as two pairs and two single dots around the symbol
• D. O with two dots as a single pair on one side

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the Lewis dot symbol represents the valence electrons of an atom as dots placed around the element's chemical symbol.
2. Determine the number of valence electrons for oxygen. Oxygen is in group 16 (or VIA) of the periodic table, so it has 6 valence electrons.
3. Arrange the 6 valence electrons as dots around the symbol 'O'. The convention is to place one dot on each of the four sides first (top, right, bottom, left) before pairing them up.
4. Since oxygen has 6 valence electrons, place four single dots on four sides and then add two more dots to form one pair on one side, resulting in two pairs and two single dots around the symbol.
5. Verify that the total number of dots equals the number of valence electrons (6) and that the arrangement follows the Lewis structure convention.