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 dot structure of the neutral compound C2H3N (acetonitrile)?

The structure contains a carbon-nitrogen double bond and all hydrogens are bonded to nitrogen.

The structure contains a nitrogen-nitrogen single bond and all hydrogens are bonded to carbon.

The structure contains a carbon-carbon triple bond and a nitrogen atom bonded to one of the carbons.

The structure contains a carbon-carbon double bond and a nitrogen atom bonded to both carbons.

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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons for the molecule C2H3N. Carbon has 4 valence electrons, hydrogen has 1, and nitrogen has 5. Calculate the sum: $2 \times 4 + 3 \times 1 + 5$.

Step 2: Use the valence electrons to draw a skeletal structure. Typically, carbon atoms bond to each other, hydrogens bond to carbons, and nitrogen bonds to carbon. Consider common bonding patterns and the octet rule.

Step 3: Assign bonds between atoms. Since the molecule is acetonitrile, expect a triple bond between the two carbon atoms or between carbon and nitrogen. Check which arrangement satisfies the octet rule for all atoms.

Step 4: Place the hydrogens on the carbon atoms, as hydrogens usually bond to carbon rather than nitrogen in this molecule. Verify that each hydrogen has one bond and carbon has four bonds total.

Step 5: Confirm the final Lewis structure by counting electrons around each atom to ensure the octet rule is satisfied (except for hydrogen, which follows the duet rule). This will help identify the correct bonding pattern among the options.