Multiple Choice
Which statement most completely describes a Lewis electron dot diagram?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Symbols
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Which of the following correctly represents the Lewis dot symbol for a potassium (K) atom?
A
K with eight dots surrounding the symbol
B
K with one dot to the right of the symbol
C
K with seven dots surrounding the symbol
D
K with two dots above the symbol
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the Lewis dot symbol represents the valence electrons of an atom as dots placed around the element's symbol.
Determine the number of valence electrons for potassium (K). Potassium is in Group 1 of the periodic table, so it has 1 valence electron.
Since potassium has only 1 valence electron, the Lewis dot symbol should have exactly one dot.
The dot can be placed on any side of the symbol, but typically it is shown to the right or above the symbol.
Therefore, the correct Lewis dot symbol for potassium is the element symbol 'K' with one dot next to it, representing its single valence electron.
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