Multiple Choice
Based on the Lewis dot structure for methane (CH_4), how many lone pairs of electrons are present on the central carbon atom?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct Lewis electron-dot structure for Br2(l), a neutral diatomic bromine molecule in the liquid state?
A
:Br::Br:
B
:Br:‒‒:Br:
C
:Br:‒:Br:
D
Br‒Br
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that a Lewis electron-dot structure represents the valence electrons of atoms, showing bonding pairs as lines (or pairs of dots) between atoms and lone pairs as dots around atoms.
Determine the number of valence electrons for each bromine atom. Bromine (Br) is in group 17, so it has 7 valence electrons.
Since Br2 is a diatomic molecule, the two bromine atoms share one pair of electrons to form a single covalent bond. This bond is represented by a single line (‒) between the two Br atoms.
Each bromine atom will have three lone pairs (6 electrons) remaining after sharing one pair for the bond, so place three pairs of dots around each Br atom to represent these lone pairs.
Combine these elements to draw the Lewis structure: two Br atoms connected by a single bond (‒), with three lone pairs of dots around each Br, ensuring the total valence electrons (14) are correctly represented.
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