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 best describes the Lewis dot structure for the neutral compound SiBr4?

Silicon atom in the center with four single bonds to four bromine atoms; each bromine has three lone pairs.

Silicon atom in the center with four single bonds to four bromine atoms; each bromine has one lone pair.

Silicon atom in the center with two double bonds to two bromine atoms; each bromine has two lone pairs.

Silicon atom in the center with one double bond and three single bonds to bromine atoms; each bromine has two lone pairs.

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Verified step by step guidance

Identify the central atom and the surrounding atoms in the compound SiBr4. Silicon (Si) is less electronegative than bromine (Br), so Si will be the central atom with four Br atoms bonded to it.

Determine the total number of valence electrons available. Silicon has 4 valence electrons, and each bromine atom has 7 valence electrons. Calculate the total: $4 + 4 \times 7 = 32$ valence electrons.

Draw single bonds between the silicon atom and each bromine atom. Each single bond represents 2 electrons, so 4 bonds use $4 \times 2 = 8$ electrons.

Distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs on the bromine atoms to complete their octets. Since each Br needs 8 electrons total and already shares 2 in the bond, each Br will have 6 electrons as lone pairs, which corresponds to 3 lone pairs per Br atom.

Check the silicon atom's octet. Silicon shares 8 electrons through the four single bonds, satisfying the octet rule. Therefore, the Lewis structure is silicon in the center with four single bonds to bromine atoms, each bromine having three lone pairs.