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 statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound RnCl_4?

Rn is surrounded by four single bonds to Cl atoms and has no lone pairs.

Rn is bonded to two Cl atoms with single bonds and has three lone pairs.

Rn is surrounded by four double bonds to Cl atoms and has no lone pairs.

Rn is surrounded by four single bonds to Cl atoms and has two lone pairs of electrons.

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Identify the valence electrons for each atom in the compound RnCl_4. Radon (Rn) is a noble gas in group 18, so it has 8 valence electrons. Chlorine (Cl) is in group 17, so each Cl atom has 7 valence electrons.

Step 2: Calculate the total number of valence electrons in the molecule by adding the valence electrons of Rn and the four Cl atoms: total electrons = valence electrons of Rn + 4 × valence electrons of Cl.

Step 3: Determine the bonding framework. Since Rn is the central atom, it will form bonds with each of the four Cl atoms. Each single bond consists of 2 electrons, so 4 single bonds use 8 electrons.

Step 4: Assign the remaining electrons as lone pairs. After accounting for bonding electrons, subtract these from the total valence electrons to find how many electrons remain as lone pairs on Rn and Cl atoms. Remember that each Cl atom typically has three lone pairs to complete its octet.

Step 5: Confirm the Lewis structure by checking the octet rule for each atom. Rn can have an expanded octet because it is in period 6, so it can accommodate more than 8 electrons. The correct structure will have Rn bonded to four Cl atoms with single bonds and two lone pairs on Rn, satisfying the octet and total electron count.