Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of a neutral molecule of HF?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
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Which of the following best describes the correct Lewis dot structure for the neutral compound N2H2 (diazene)?
A
The two nitrogen atoms are connected by a triple bond, each nitrogen has one hydrogen atom attached, and each nitrogen has no lone pairs.
B
The two nitrogen atoms are connected by a double bond, each nitrogen has one hydrogen atom attached, and each nitrogen has one lone pair.
C
The two nitrogen atoms are connected by a double bond, both hydrogens are attached to the same nitrogen atom, and each nitrogen has two lone pairs.
D
The two nitrogen atoms are connected by a single bond, each nitrogen has two hydrogen atoms attached, and each nitrogen has two lone pairs.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons in N2H2. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and hydrogen has 1 valence electron. Calculate the total by adding the valence electrons from both nitrogen atoms and both hydrogen atoms: $2 \times 5 + 2 \times 1$.
Step 2: Connect the two nitrogen atoms with a bond and attach one hydrogen atom to each nitrogen atom, since the molecular formula is N2H2 and each nitrogen typically forms three bonds to satisfy the octet rule.
Step 3: Assign electrons to form bonds between atoms. Each single bond represents 2 electrons. Consider whether a single, double, or triple bond between the nitrogen atoms best satisfies the octet rule for both nitrogens.
Step 4: After placing bonding electrons, distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs on the nitrogen atoms to complete their octets. Remember that hydrogen atoms only need 2 electrons (a single bond) to be stable.
Step 5: Evaluate the structure for formal charges to ensure the most stable Lewis structure. The best Lewis structure will have minimal formal charges and satisfy the octet rule for nitrogen atoms, which leads to a double bond between the nitrogens, one hydrogen attached to each nitrogen, and one lone pair on each nitrogen.
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