Multiple Choice
Which of the following best represents the correct Lewis dot structure for the neutral compound CO_2?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct Lewis dot structure for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)?
A
H–O=O–H, with each O atom having one lone pair
B
H–O–O–H, with each O atom having three lone pairs
C
H–O–O–H, with each O atom having two lone pairs
D
H–O–O–H, with no lone pairs on the O atoms
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Hydrogen has 1 valence electron each, and oxygen has 6 valence electrons each. Calculate the sum: \(2 \times 1 + 2 \times 6\).
Step 2: Draw the skeletal structure connecting the atoms. Since H atoms can only form one bond, and O atoms can form two bonds, connect the atoms as H–O–O–H.
Step 3: Assign bonding electrons to the bonds between atoms. Each single bond represents 2 electrons. Count these electrons and subtract from the total valence electrons to find the remaining electrons to be placed as lone pairs.
Step 4: Distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs on the oxygen atoms to satisfy the octet rule. Each oxygen atom should have enough lone pairs so that it has 8 electrons total (counting bonding and lone pairs).
Step 5: Verify the structure by checking that each atom has a complete octet (or duet for hydrogen) and that the total number of electrons used equals the total valence electrons calculated in Step 1.
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