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 best represents the Lewis dot structure for the neutral compound CH_4 (methane)?

A central C atom with four single bonds to four H atoms, and no lone pairs on C.

A central C atom with one triple bond to one H atom, and three single bonds to three H atoms.

A central C atom with four single bonds to four H atoms, and two lone pairs on C.

A central C atom with two double bonds to two H atoms, and two lone pairs on C.

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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Identify the total number of valence electrons in the molecule. Carbon (C) has 4 valence electrons, and each hydrogen (H) has 1 valence electron. Since there are 4 hydrogens, total valence electrons = 4 (from C) + 4 × 1 (from H) = 8 electrons.

Step 2: Determine the bonding pattern. Carbon typically forms 4 bonds to complete its octet, and hydrogen forms only 1 bond to fill its duet. So, expect carbon to form four single bonds with four hydrogen atoms.

Step 3: Draw the Lewis structure with carbon in the center and four single bonds connecting it to each hydrogen atom. This uses 8 electrons (4 bonds × 2 electrons per bond), which accounts for all valence electrons.

Step 4: Check for lone pairs. Since all valence electrons are used in bonding, carbon has no lone pairs, and each hydrogen has none as well.

Step 5: Confirm that the octet rule is satisfied for carbon (8 electrons around it) and the duet rule for hydrogen (2 electrons around each). This confirms the correct Lewis structure is a central carbon atom with four single bonds to four hydrogen atoms and no lone pairs on carbon.