Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound CH2Br (bromomethane)?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Multiple Choice
After drawing the Lewis structure of NO₂, what is the formal charge on the central nitrogen atom?
A
+2
B
0
C
-1
D
+1
Verified step by step guidance1
Draw the Lewis structure of NO\_2 by first counting the total number of valence electrons: nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, and each oxygen has 6, so total valence electrons = 5 + 2 \(\times\) 6 = 17 electrons.
Arrange the atoms with nitrogen as the central atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. Use single bonds initially and distribute the remaining electrons to satisfy the octet rule as much as possible, keeping in mind that NO\_2 is a radical with an odd number of electrons.
Assign electrons to each atom: count the number of lone pair electrons and bonding electrons around the nitrogen atom. Remember that bonding electrons are shared, so only half of the bonding electrons count toward nitrogen's formal charge.
Calculate the formal charge on nitrogen using the formula:
\(\text{Formal Charge} = \text{Valence electrons} - \text{Nonbonding electrons} - \frac{1}{2} \times \text{Bonding electrons}\)
Substitute the values for nitrogen into the formula to find its formal charge, which will help you determine the correct charge on the central nitrogen atom in NO\_2.
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