Which Lewis electron-dot diagram represents an atom of a group 13 element in the ground state?

• A. An atom with eight dots around the symbol
• B. An atom with five dots around the symbol
• C. An atom with seven dots around the symbol
• D. An atom with three dots around the symbol, such as B with three dots

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the group number of the element in the periodic table. Group 13 elements have three valence electrons.
2. Recall that the Lewis electron-dot diagram represents only the valence electrons of an atom as dots placed around the element's symbol.
3. Since group 13 elements have three valence electrons, the Lewis dot structure should show exactly three dots around the element's symbol.
4. Understand that the dots are placed one at a time on each side (top, right, bottom, left) before pairing, so three dots means one on three different sides.
5. Conclude that the correct Lewis electron-dot diagram for a group 13 element in the ground state is the one with three dots around the symbol, such as B with three dots.