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 is the best Lewis dot structure for the neutral compound BF_3?

B atom in the center with three double bonds to three F atoms; each F atom has two lone pairs; B has no lone pairs.

B atom in the center with three single bonds to three F atoms; each F atom has two lone pairs; B has one lone pair.

B atom in the center with one single bond and two double bonds to F atoms; each F atom has two lone pairs; B has no lone pairs.

B atom in the center with three single bonds to three F atoms; each F atom has three lone pairs; B has no lone pairs.

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Verified step by step guidance

Identify the total number of valence electrons available for the BF_3 molecule. Boron (B) has 3 valence electrons, and each fluorine (F) atom has 7 valence electrons. Since there are three fluorine atoms, calculate the total as: $3 + 3 \times 7$.

Determine the bonding framework by placing the boron atom in the center and connecting it to the three fluorine atoms with single bonds initially. Each single bond represents 2 electrons shared between atoms.

Distribute the remaining valence electrons as lone pairs around the fluorine atoms to satisfy their octet. Each fluorine atom should have three lone pairs (6 electrons) after accounting for the bonding electrons.

Check the boron atom's electron count. Boron is an exception to the octet rule and is stable with only 6 electrons around it (from the three single bonds). Therefore, boron does not need any lone pairs or double bonds to complete an octet.

Verify that the total number of electrons used in bonds and lone pairs equals the total valence electrons calculated initially, and confirm that the structure is neutral with no formal charges on atoms.