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 statements correctly describes the Lewis structure of ClBr3 (chlorine tribromide) as a neutral compound?

The central atom is bromine, surrounded by three single bonds to chlorine atoms and no lone pairs.

The central atom is chlorine, surrounded by three double bonds to bromine atoms and one lone pair on chlorine.

The central atom is chlorine, surrounded by three single bonds to bromine atoms and two lone pairs on chlorine.

The central atom is bromine, surrounded by three single bonds to chlorine atoms and three lone pairs on bromine.

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Verified step by step guidance

Identify the total number of valence electrons in ClBr3 by adding the valence electrons of chlorine and bromine atoms. Chlorine has 7 valence electrons, and bromine also has 7 valence electrons each.

Determine the central atom by considering electronegativity and the number of atoms. Typically, the less electronegative atom or the atom that can form more bonds is the central atom. Here, chlorine is less electronegative than bromine, so chlorine is likely the central atom.

Draw single bonds between the central chlorine atom and each of the three bromine atoms. Each single bond represents 2 electrons shared between atoms.

Distribute the remaining valence electrons as lone pairs to satisfy the octet rule for each atom. Start by completing the octets of the outer bromine atoms, then place any leftover electrons as lone pairs on the central chlorine atom.

Count the lone pairs on the central chlorine atom after bonding. For ClBr3, chlorine will have two lone pairs, and each bromine will have three lone pairs, resulting in a total of 28 valence electrons accounted for and a neutral molecule.