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 acetic acid (CH3COOH)?

The central carbon atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Both oxygen atoms in acetic acid are bonded directly to the methyl group.

There are no lone pairs present on any oxygen atoms in the structure.

The carboxyl group contains a carbon atom double-bonded to one oxygen and single-bonded to another oxygen, which is also bonded to a hydrogen.

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Verified step by step guidance

Identify the molecular formula of acetic acid, which is CH3COOH, and recognize that it contains a methyl group (CH3) and a carboxyl group (COOH).

Determine the connectivity of atoms: the central carbon in the carboxyl group is bonded to the methyl group (CH3), one oxygen atom via a double bond, and another oxygen atom via a single bond, which in turn is bonded to a hydrogen atom.

Recall that in Lewis structures, oxygen atoms typically have lone pairs; therefore, each oxygen atom in acetic acid should have lone pairs to satisfy the octet rule.

Analyze the bonding: the methyl carbon is bonded to three hydrogens and one carbon (the carboxyl carbon), while the carboxyl carbon is bonded to one methyl carbon, one double-bonded oxygen, and one single-bonded oxygen that carries a hydrogen.

Conclude that the correct Lewis structure description must include the carboxyl group with a carbon double-bonded to one oxygen and single-bonded to another oxygen bonded to hydrogen, and that oxygen atoms have lone pairs, which invalidates statements denying lone pairs or incorrect bonding.