Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a correct Lewis dot structure for hydrogen cyanide (HCN)?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
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Which of the following represents the correct Lewis dot structure for a neutral arsenic (As) atom?
A
As with 7 dots arranged around the symbol
B
As with 3 dots arranged around the symbol
C
As with 5 dots arranged around the symbol
D
As with 2 dots arranged around the symbol
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the Lewis dot structure represents the valence electrons of an atom as dots around the element's symbol.
Determine the group number of arsenic (As) in the periodic table. Arsenic is in group 15 (or 5A), which means it has 5 valence electrons.
Since arsenic has 5 valence electrons, the Lewis dot structure should show 5 dots arranged around the symbol 'As'.
The dots are usually placed one at a time on each of the four sides (top, right, bottom, left) before pairing up, so you will have 5 dots with one side having a pair and the other three sides having single dots.
Therefore, the correct Lewis dot structure for a neutral arsenic atom is 'As' with 5 dots arranged around the symbol.
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