Which of the following best describes the Lewis dot structure for nitrogen trifluoride (NF_3)?

• A. Nitrogen is at the center with three single bonds to fluorine atoms and one lone pair on nitrogen.
• B. Nitrogen is at the center with three double bonds to fluorine atoms and no lone pairs on nitrogen.
• C. Nitrogen is at the center with three single bonds to fluorine atoms and no lone pairs on nitrogen.
• D. Nitrogen is at the center with three single bonds to fluorine atoms and three lone pairs on nitrogen.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in nitrogen trifluoride (NF_3). Since nitrogen is less electronegative than fluorine, nitrogen will be the central atom.
2. Determine the total number of valence electrons available. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, and each fluorine has 7 valence electrons. So, total valence electrons = 5 + 3 \times 7 = 26 electrons.
3. Draw single bonds between the nitrogen atom and each of the three fluorine atoms. Each single bond represents 2 electrons, so 3 bonds use 6 electrons.
4. Distribute the remaining electrons to complete the octets of the fluorine atoms first. Each fluorine needs 6 more electrons (3 lone pairs) to complete its octet.
5. Place any leftover electrons on the nitrogen atom as lone pairs. After bonding and completing fluorine octets, nitrogen will have one lone pair to complete its octet.