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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of neutral SiO_2?
A
Silicon is bonded to two oxygen atoms, each with a triple bond.
B
Silicon is bonded to two oxygen atoms, each with a single bond, and all atoms have a complete octet.
C
Silicon is bonded to two oxygen atoms, each with a double bond, and all atoms have a complete octet.
D
Silicon is bonded to one oxygen atom with a double bond and one oxygen atom with a single bond.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify the total number of valence electrons available for the molecule SiO_2. Silicon (Si) has 4 valence electrons, and each oxygen (O) atom has 6 valence electrons. Since there are two oxygen atoms, total valence electrons = 4 + 2 × 6 = 16 electrons.
Step 2: Determine the skeletal structure of SiO_2. Silicon is the central atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. Connect Si to each O with a single bond initially, which uses 2 electrons per bond, totaling 4 electrons.
Step 3: Distribute the remaining electrons to satisfy the octet rule. After forming two single bonds, 16 - 4 = 12 electrons remain. Place these electrons as lone pairs on the oxygen atoms to complete their octets first.
Step 4: Check if all atoms have complete octets. Oxygen atoms need 8 electrons each (including bonding electrons), and silicon also needs 8 electrons. If the octet is not complete for silicon, convert lone pairs on oxygen atoms into double bonds with silicon to share more electrons.
Step 5: Confirm the final Lewis structure where silicon is double bonded to each oxygen atom, and all atoms have complete octets. This structure satisfies the octet rule and uses all valence electrons correctly.