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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the Lewis dot structure for CH4 (methane)?
A
A central carbon atom with four single bonds to four hydrogen atoms, and no lone pairs on carbon.
B
A central carbon atom with two double bonds to two hydrogen atoms, and two lone pairs on carbon.
C
A central carbon atom with one triple bond to one hydrogen atom and three single bonds to three hydrogen atoms.
D
A central carbon atom with four lone pairs and no bonds to hydrogen atoms.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Recall that the Lewis dot structure represents the valence electrons of atoms and how they are shared or paired in bonds.
Determine the total number of valence electrons: Carbon has 4 valence electrons, and each hydrogen has 1 valence electron, so for CH4, total valence electrons = 4 + (4 × 1) = 8 electrons.
Carbon typically forms four covalent bonds to complete its octet, while hydrogen forms one bond to complete its duet (2 electrons).
Draw a central carbon atom and connect it to four hydrogen atoms with single bonds, each bond representing a pair of shared electrons.
Verify that carbon has no lone pairs and that all hydrogens have a full valence shell by sharing electrons through these single bonds.