Which of the following is the correct Lewis dot symbol for the oxygen atom?

• A. O with two dots placed together above the symbol
• B. O with six dots arranged as two pairs and two single dots around the symbol
• C. O with four dots, one on each side of the symbol
• D. O with eight dots evenly spaced around the symbol

Answer: (B)

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 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 side (top, bottom, left, right) before pairing them up, so you first place 4 single dots, then pair the remaining 2 electrons.
4. The correct Lewis dot symbol for oxygen will have 6 dots arranged as two pairs and two single dots around the symbol, reflecting the 6 valence electrons.
5. Compare the given options to this arrangement to identify the correct Lewis dot symbol for oxygen.