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 is the correct number of valence electrons for the neutral compound CH4, and which Lewis structure represents it?

8 valence electrons; a central C atom with four single bonds to four H atoms

6 valence electrons; a central C atom with three single bonds to three H atoms

12 valence electrons; a central C atom with four double bonds to four H atoms

10 valence electrons; a central C atom with two double bonds to two H atoms

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Verified step by step guidance

Determine the number of valence electrons contributed by each atom in the molecule. Carbon (C) is in group 14 and has 4 valence electrons, while each hydrogen (H) atom has 1 valence electron.

Calculate the total number of valence electrons in CH4 by adding the valence electrons from one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms: $4 + 4 \times 1$.

Understand that the Lewis structure represents the arrangement of these valence electrons as bonds and lone pairs. Since hydrogen can only form one bond and carbon typically forms four bonds to complete its octet, consider how these electrons are shared.

Draw the Lewis structure with carbon as the central atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms with single bonds, ensuring that the total number of electrons used in bonding equals the total valence electrons calculated.

Verify that the structure satisfies the octet rule for carbon (8 electrons around carbon) and the duet rule for hydrogen (2 electrons around each hydrogen), confirming the correct Lewis structure and total valence electrons.