Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound N3 (azide ion)?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the Lewis dot structure for the neutral molecule C2?
A
Each carbon atom shares two pairs of electrons, forming a double bond between them.
B
Each carbon atom shares four pairs of electrons, forming a quadruple bond between them.
C
Each carbon atom shares one pair of electrons, forming a single bond between them.
D
Each carbon atom shares three pairs of electrons, forming a triple bond between them.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons available for bonding in the C2 molecule. Each carbon atom has 4 valence electrons, so for two carbon atoms, total valence electrons = 4 \(\times\) 2 = 8.
Step 2: Consider how these 8 valence electrons can be shared between the two carbon atoms to satisfy the octet rule (each carbon atom aims to have 8 electrons around it).
Step 3: Evaluate the possible bonding scenarios: a single bond (2 shared electrons), a double bond (4 shared electrons), a triple bond (6 shared electrons), or even a quadruple bond (8 shared electrons).
Step 4: Recognize that a single bond shares 1 pair (2 electrons), a double bond shares 2 pairs (4 electrons), a triple bond shares 3 pairs (6 electrons), and a quadruple bond would share 4 pairs (8 electrons).
Step 5: Based on the total valence electrons and the need to satisfy the octet rule, the most stable Lewis structure for C2 involves sharing three pairs of electrons (a triple bond) between the two carbon atoms.
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