Multiple Choice
Which of the following Lewis structures for H2O correctly shows the partial charges and nonbonding electrons?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
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Which of the following Lewis dot structures correctly represents a neutral nitrogen atom (N)?
A
N with three single dots around it
B
N with five single dots around it
C
N with two single dots around it
D
N with eight single dots around it
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the Lewis dot structure represents the valence electrons of an atom as dots around the chemical symbol.
Determine the number of valence electrons for a neutral nitrogen atom. Nitrogen is in group 15 of the periodic table, so it has 5 valence electrons.
Place one dot for each valence electron around the symbol 'N'. According to Lewis structure rules, place the dots singly first on each of the four sides (top, bottom, left, right) before pairing them.
Since nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, you will place five single dots around the 'N' symbol, with one pair and three single dots distributed around it.
Verify that the total number of dots equals the number of valence electrons (5) and that the structure represents a neutral atom (no charges).
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