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Chapter 6: Problem 22

What do the dots in a Lewis structure represent?

Short Answer

Expert verified
In a Lewis structure, dots represent electrons. They can symbolize lone pairs or nonbonding electrons, and pairs of dots can represent shared electrons or bonds between atoms.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding basic concepts

To begin with, it is crucial to understand what a Lewis structure is. A Lewis structure is a two-dimensional representation that shows how atoms in a molecule are bonded together. It is named after Gilbert N. Lewis, who introduced it in his 1916 paper 'The Atom and the Molecule'.
02

Identifying components of Lewis structure

A Lewis structure consists of the symbols of atoms, the connectivity between them, and dots that represent electrons.
03

Interpreting the dots

Now coming to the main part of the exercise. The dots in a Lewis structure symbolize lone pairs or nonbonding electrons. Furthermore, the dots or pairs of dots can also represent shared electrons, which essentially are the bonding electrons. In essence, each dot represents one electron. Therefore, two dots create one covalent bond. These shared electrons hold the atoms together in a molecule.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

How does an ionic compound differ from a molecular compound?

What types of atoms tend to form the following types of bonding? a. ionic b. covalent c. metallic

Draw Lewis structures for the following polyatomic ions. a. \(\mathrm{OH}^{-}\) b. \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{2-}\) c. \(\mathrm{NO}^{2-}\) d. \(\mathrm{NO}^{2+}\) e. \(\mathrm{AsO}_{4}^{3-}\)

Describe the energy changes that take place when two atoms form a covalent bond.

How does a covalent bond differ from an ionic bond?
See all solutions

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