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Chapter 13: Problem 6

Make a checklist that can be used to determine if a Lewis structure for a molecule is correct.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A correct Lewis structure can be validated by confirming that: 1) all electron pairs are fully represented, 2) all atoms satisfy the octet rule (duet for Hydrogen), 3) the total number of electrons matches the sum of valence electrons, 4) the structure with the lowest formal charges is chosen for resonance structures and 5) there is a complete octet around the second period atoms for extra stability.

Step by step solution

01

Check for complete representation of electron pairs

Firstly, ensure that all valence electrons are represented in the structure. This includes both bonding electrons (which form chemical bonds) and lone pairs of electrons (non-bonding electrons). Bonding electrons are typically represented as lines, while lone pairs should be depicted as dots. Every unshared electron pair and every bond consists of two electrons.
02

Validate Octet Rule

Each atom in the molecule (except Hydrogen) should be surrounded by eight electrons, which is referred to as the 'Octet Rule'. These electrons can come from the atom’s lone pairs, its bonding pairs, or a combination. Remember that Hydrogen should only have two electrons (duet).
03

Count total number of electrons

Confirm that the total number of electrons represented in your Lewis structure equals the total number of valence electrons in the molecule. The number of valence electrons is the sum of the valence electrons of all atoms in the molecule. Each bond counts as two electrons, and each lone pair counts as two electrons as well.
04

Formal Charges

For molecules or ions that have resonance structures, make sure that the structure with the lowest total formal charge, and the formal charges closest to zero is preferred. The formal charges, when added up, should equal the total charge of the molecule or ion.
05

Extra stability

If the molecule contains atoms of the second period of the periodic table, then additional stability will be conferred if there is a complete octet of electrons around these second period atoms.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Use your checklist to determine whether or not the following is a correct structure for \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) $$ \ddot{\mathrm{O}}=\mathrm{C}=\ddot{\mathrm{O}} $$

For each of the following neutral atoms give the core charge. a) Li. b) \(\quad \ddot{C l}\) c) He:

Give the Lewis representation for each of the following atoms. a) iodine b) calcium c) phosphorus

Given the shell model of the atom, suggest a possible reason that Lewis proposed a maximum of two electrons for hydrogen and a maximum of eight for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine atoms?

Revise (as necessary) your checklist that can be used to determine if a Lewis structure for a molecule is correct.
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