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 statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound P2H4?

Each phosphorus atom is bonded to four hydrogen atoms and has no bond to the other phosphorus atom.

Each phosphorus atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms and to the other phosphorus atom by a double bond.

Each phosphorus atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms and to the other phosphorus atom by a single bond.

Each phosphorus atom is bonded to one hydrogen atom and to the other phosphorus atom by a triple bond.

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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons available for the molecule P2H4. Phosphorus (P) has 5 valence electrons, and hydrogen (H) has 1 valence electron each. Calculate the total by adding the valence electrons from both phosphorus atoms and all four hydrogen atoms.

Step 2: Consider the bonding preferences of phosphorus and hydrogen. Hydrogen forms only one single bond, while phosphorus can form multiple bonds but typically prefers to form three bonds and may have a lone pair.

Step 3: Propose a skeletal structure where the two phosphorus atoms are bonded together, and the hydrogen atoms are distributed around the phosphorus atoms. Since there are four hydrogens, try assigning two hydrogens to each phosphorus atom.

Step 4: Assign electrons to form bonds between atoms, ensuring each hydrogen has a single bond and each phosphorus atom satisfies the octet rule as much as possible. Check if the phosphorus atoms are connected by a single bond or multiple bonds by counting the electrons used.

Step 5: Verify the Lewis structure by counting all valence electrons used in bonds and lone pairs to ensure the total matches the number calculated in Step 1, confirming the correct bonding arrangement.