Multiple Choice
Which of the following best represents the Lewis dot structure for a neutral molecule of CO_2?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
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Which of the following represents the correct Lewis dot structure for neutral potassium chloride (KCl)?
A
K^− [Cl]^+ with Cl surrounded by 8 dots
B
K with 8 dots next to Cl with no dots
C
K with 1 dot next to Cl with 7 dots
D
K^+ [Cl]^− with Cl surrounded by 8 dots
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that potassium (K) is an alkali metal with 1 valence electron, and chlorine (Cl) is a halogen with 7 valence electrons.
Understand that in forming potassium chloride (KCl), potassium tends to lose its one valence electron to achieve a stable noble gas configuration, becoming K⁺ (a cation).
Chlorine gains the electron lost by potassium to complete its octet, becoming Cl⁻ (an anion) with 8 valence electrons represented as dots around it.
Draw the Lewis structure showing K as K⁺ without any dots (since it lost its valence electron) and Cl as [Cl]⁻ with 8 dots around it to represent the full octet.
Confirm that the overall compound is neutral by balancing the charges: +1 from K⁺ and -1 from Cl⁻, resulting in no net charge.
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