Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the correct Lewis structure for (acetic acid, also written as )?
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1. A Review of General Chemistry
Lewis Structure
Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis structure of (bromine pentafluoride)?
A
Bromine is the central atom, surrounded by five fluorine atoms with double bonds, and has no lone pairs on bromine.
B
Bromine is the central atom, surrounded by five fluorine atoms with single bonds, and has one lone pair of electrons on bromine.
C
Bromine is the central atom, surrounded by five fluorine atoms with single bonds, and has no lone pairs on bromine.
D
Fluorine is the central atom, surrounded by five bromine atoms with single bonds, and has one lone pair on fluorine.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom by considering electronegativity and bonding capacity. Bromine (Br) is less electronegative than fluorine (F), so Br will be the central atom.
Determine the number of valence electrons: Bromine has 7 valence electrons, and each fluorine has 7 valence electrons. For BrF5, total valence electrons = 7 (Br) + 5 × 7 (F) = 42 electrons.
Draw single bonds between the central bromine atom and each of the five fluorine atoms. Each single bond accounts for 2 electrons, so 5 bonds use 10 electrons.
Distribute the remaining electrons to complete the octets of the fluorine atoms first. Each fluorine needs 6 more electrons (3 lone pairs) to complete its octet, so 5 fluorines × 6 electrons = 30 electrons.
Assign the leftover electrons to the central bromine atom as lone pairs. After bonding and completing fluorine octets, bromine will have one lone pair, consistent with the total valence electrons and the expanded octet capability of bromine.
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