Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly identifies the ionizable hydrogen(s) in a neutral acetic acid (CH3COOH) Lewis structure?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
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Which of the following Lewis dot structures correctly represents a neutral molecule of water (H_2O)?
A
O atom with two single bonds to H atoms and four lone electrons (two pairs) on O
B
O atom with two single bonds to H atoms and no lone electrons on O
C
O atom with two single bonds to H atoms and six lone electrons (three pairs) on O
D
O atom with one single bond to H atom, one double bond to H atom, and two lone electrons on O
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that a neutral water molecule (H_2O) consists of one oxygen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
Determine the total number of valence electrons: Oxygen has 6 valence electrons, and each hydrogen has 1 valence electron, so total valence electrons = 6 + 2*1 = 8.
Draw two single bonds between the oxygen atom and each hydrogen atom, which uses 4 electrons (2 electrons per bond).
Subtract the bonding electrons from the total valence electrons: 8 - 4 = 4 electrons remaining, which must be placed as lone pairs on the oxygen atom.
Place the remaining 4 electrons as two lone pairs (each pair has 2 electrons) on the oxygen atom, completing the Lewis structure with oxygen having two single bonds to hydrogen and two lone pairs.
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