Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the Lewis dot structure of methane (CH_4)?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
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Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of neutral cobalt(II) iodide (CoI_2)?
A
Cobalt is bonded to two iodide ions, each with two lone pairs, and cobalt has two lone pairs.
B
Cobalt is surrounded by two iodide ions, each with three lone pairs, and cobalt has no lone pairs.
C
Cobalt is surrounded by two iodide ions, each with four lone pairs, and cobalt has one lone pair.
D
Cobalt is bonded to one iodide ion with three lone pairs and one oxygen atom with two lone pairs.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the chemical formula and components of cobalt(II) iodide, which is CoI_2, meaning one cobalt ion and two iodide ions.
Step 2: Determine the charge and electron configuration of cobalt in CoI_2. Cobalt(II) indicates a +2 charge on cobalt, so it has lost two electrons compared to the neutral atom.
Step 3: Recall that iodide ions (I^-) each carry a -1 charge and have a full octet, which means each iodide ion will have three lone pairs of electrons around it.
Step 4: Understand that in the Lewis structure, cobalt (Co^{2+}) acts as the central atom bonded to two iodide ions, and since it is a metal cation, it typically does not have lone pairs in this ionic compound.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct Lewis structure shows cobalt surrounded by two iodide ions, each with three lone pairs, and cobalt itself having no lone pairs.
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