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

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with General Chemistry?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct Lewis dot structure for a neutral molecule of methane (CH_4)?

A central carbon atom with four single bonds to four hydrogen atoms, and no lone pairs on carbon.

A central carbon atom with four lone pairs and no bonds to hydrogen atoms.

A central carbon atom with two double bonds to two hydrogen atoms, and two lone pairs on carbon.

A central carbon atom with one triple bond to one hydrogen atom, and three single bonds to three hydrogen atoms.

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Recall that the Lewis dot structure represents the valence electrons of atoms in a molecule, showing bonds as pairs of shared electrons and lone pairs as non-bonding electron pairs.

Determine the total number of valence electrons in methane (CH_4): Carbon has 4 valence electrons, and each hydrogen has 1 valence electron, so total valence electrons = 4 + (4 × 1) = 8 electrons.

Arrange the atoms with carbon as the central atom because it is less electronegative and can form multiple bonds, and place the four hydrogen atoms around it.

Form single bonds between the carbon atom and each hydrogen atom, using 2 electrons per bond, which accounts for all 8 valence electrons (4 bonds × 2 electrons each = 8 electrons).

Verify that carbon has a full octet (8 electrons around it) and each hydrogen has 2 electrons (a full shell for hydrogen), and confirm that there are no lone pairs on carbon in the correct Lewis structure.