Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds

General Chemistry

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following correctly represents the Lewis dot structure for the neutral compound calcium phosphide (Ca3P2)?

Each Ca atom loses two electrons to form Ca2+ ions, and each P atom gains three electrons to form P3− ions; the structure consists of three Ca2+ ions and two P3− ions.

The structure consists of neutral Ca and P atoms with no transfer or sharing of electrons.

Each Ca atom shares electrons with P atoms to form covalent bonds, resulting in a structure with shared electron pairs.

Each Ca atom gains two electrons to form Ca2− ions, and each P atom loses three electrons to form P3+ ions.

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Verified step by step guidance

Identify the type of bonding in calcium phosphide (Ca3P2). Since calcium is a metal and phosphorus is a nonmetal, the compound is ionic, meaning electrons are transferred rather than shared covalently.

Determine the common oxidation states: calcium typically forms Ca^{2+} ions by losing two electrons, and phosphorus typically forms P^{3-} ions by gaining three electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.

Calculate the total charge balance: with three Ca atoms each losing 2 electrons, the total positive charge is +6; with two P atoms each gaining 3 electrons, the total negative charge is -6, resulting in a neutral compound overall.

Represent the Lewis structure by showing three Ca^{2+} ions (no dots around Ca since they lose electrons) and two P^{3-} ions with eight dots (representing the gained electrons) around each phosphorus atom to complete their octet.

Confirm that the structure reflects ionic bonding with electron transfer (not sharing), consistent with the formula Ca3P2, where the ratio of Ca^{2+} to P^{3-} ions balances the charges.