Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct Lewis dot structure for the molecule OF2?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Multiple Choice
In the Lewis dot structure for HCl, which atom has lone pairs of electrons?
A
Only the chlorine atom
B
Both hydrogen and chlorine atoms
C
Only the hydrogen atom
D
Neither atom
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that a Lewis dot structure represents the valence electrons of atoms in a molecule, showing bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons.
Identify the valence electrons for each atom: hydrogen has 1 valence electron, and chlorine has 7 valence electrons.
In HCl, hydrogen forms a single covalent bond with chlorine by sharing one electron each, completing hydrogen's duet (2 electrons).
Since chlorine has 7 valence electrons and shares 1 with hydrogen, the remaining 6 electrons on chlorine are arranged as 3 lone pairs around the chlorine atom.
Therefore, only the chlorine atom has lone pairs of electrons in the Lewis dot structure of HCl.
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