Under appropriate conditions, both hydrogen and nitrogen can form monatomic anions. What are the Lewis symbols for these ions? What are the Lewis structures of the compounds (a) lithium hydride; (b) calcium hydride; (c) magnesium nitride?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Lewis symbols for hydrogen and nitrogen ions are \(H^-\) with two dots and \(N^{3-}\) with eight dots respectively. The Lewis structures for \(LiH\) consist of \(Li^+\) with no dots and \(H^-\) with two dots. \(CaH_2\) has \(Ca^{2+}\) with no dots and two \(H^-\) with two dots each. The structure of \(Mg_3N_2\) includes three \(Mg^{2+}\) with no dots and two \(N^{3-}\) each with eight dots.

Step by step solution

01

Lewis Symbols for Hydrogen and Nitrogen Ions

In order to draw the Lewis symbols for hydrogen and nitrogen ions, we need to understand that anions are formed when an atom gains electrons. In its elemental state, hydrogen has 1 electron. When it gains an electron, it forms a monatomic anion and its Lewis symbol will be \(H^-\) with two dots around it representing the two valence electrons. Nitrogen, having 5 valence electrons, needs to gain 3 more electrons to fulfill the octet rule, forming \(N^{3-}\). The Lewis symbol will therefore be \(N^{3-}\) surrounded by eight dots symbolizing the eight valence electrons.
02

Lewis Structure for Lithium Hydride

Lithium hydride (\(LiH\)) is composed of lithium ions (\(Li^+\)) and hydride ions (\(H^-\)). Lithium loses one electron to form \(Li^+\) and hydrogen gains one electron to form \(H^-\). The lewis structure will therefore include Lithium with no dots (since it loses the electron it initially had) and hydride with two dots (since it gains an additional electron).
03

Lewis Structure for Calcium Hydride

Calcium hydride (\(CaH_2\)) is formed when calcium ions (\(Ca^{2+}\)) bonds with two hydride ions (\(2H^-\)). Calcium loses two electrons and each hydride gains one electron. In the Lewis structure, calcium will be shown without any dots (since it loses 2 valence electrons) and each hydride will have two dots around them.
04

Lewis Structure for Magnesium Nitride

Magnesium nitride (\(Mg_3N_2\)) consists of magnesium ions (\(Mg^{2+}\)) and nitride ions (\(N^{3-}\)). In this compound, three magnesium atoms each lose two electrons and two nitrogen atoms each gain three electrons to follow the octet rule. The Lewis structure will involve three magnesium ions with no dots and two nitride ions surrounded by eight dots each.

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