/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 6 How do you determine how many do... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 4: Problem 6

How do you determine how many dots to put around the Lewis symbol of an element?

Short Answer

Expert verified
To determine how many dots to put around the Lewis symbol, find the element's group number on the periodic table which corresponds to the number of valence electrons; place this number of dots around the element's symbol, one per side before pairing.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Element

Determine the element in question and find its atomic number from the periodic table. The atomic number tells you the number of protons and, for a neutral atom, the number of electrons.
02

Determine the Number of Valence Electrons

Use the periodic table to find out which group (column) the element belongs to. Elements in groups 1 and 2 have as many valence electrons as their group number, while elements in groups 13 to 18 have the group number minus 10 valence electrons. For transition metals, the determination of valence electrons can be more complex and might not be predictable from their position in the periodic table.
03

Draw the Lewis Symbol

Represent the element with its chemical symbol. Then, place dots around the symbol to represent the valence electrons. The dots are placed one on each side before pairing up (top, bottom, left, right) following the 'octet rule' which suggests that atoms are most stable when surrounded by 8 electrons.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Valence Electrons
Valence electrons play a pivotal role in chemical reactions and bonding. They are the electrons found in the outermost shell of an atom and determine the chemical properties of the element. When drawing Lewis symbols, it's the valence electrons that are depicted as dots around the element's symbol. A quick tip for finding the number of valence electrons for main group elements is to look at the group number; for instance, carbon is in group 14, so it has 4 valence electrons. Learning to identify the number of valence electrons helps in predicting how an atom will interact with others to form compounds.
Periodic Table
The periodic table is an organized chart of elements that provides essential information at a glance. Each element is placed according to its atomic number and grouped with elements that have similar chemical properties. For students, understanding the layout of the periodic table is crucial鈥攊t's where you find the group numbers which help you determine the valence electrons. The table is also divided into blocks (s, p, d, f) that indicate the type of subshell the valence electrons occupy, which further helps in categorizing elements based on their chemical behavior.
Octet Rule
The octet rule is a chemical rule of thumb that states atoms tend to bond in such a way that they have eight electrons in their valence shell, resulting in a configuration similar to a noble gas. When applying the octet rule, remember that it's more of a guideline than a strict rule, as there are exceptions. For instance, hydrogen is content with 2 electrons, and there are elements with expanded octets. However, the octet rule is invaluable when predicting the reactivity of an element and is visually represented in Lewis symbols, where each dot symbolizes an attempt to achieve a stable octet.
Atomic Number
The atomic number of an element is a fundamental property, signifying the number of protons in the nucleus of its atoms. This number, found in the periodic table, also indicates the number of electrons in a neutral atom. Remember, it's the electrons, especially the valence electrons, that chiefly influence an atom's reactivity and bonding capabilities. For instance, sodium has an atomic number of 11, indicating it has 11 electrons. Knowing this, you can effortlessly identify that sodium, being in group 1, has one valence electron to offer in bonds.
Chemical Symbol
A chemical symbol is a one or two-letter abbreviation that represents an element. These symbols, derived from either English or Latin names, are the shorthand used worldwide by chemists. When sketching a Lewis symbol, the chemical symbol is central, surrounded by dots; each dot is a valent electron. The placement of these dots helps in visualizing how an element might bond with others. For example, oxygen has the chemical symbol 'O' and typically forms two bonds as it has six valence electrons, depicted with six dots around the 'O' in its Lewis symbol.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Use Lewis symbols to determine the formula for the compound that forms between each pair of elements. a. Sr and Se b. Ba and Cl c. Na and S d. Al and O

Most fertilizers consist of nitrogen-containing compounds such as NH3, CO(NH2)2, NH4NO3, and (NH4)2SO4. Plants use the nitrogen content in these compounds for protein synthesis. Calculate the mass percent composition of nitrogen in each of the fertilizers named in this problem. Which fertilizer has the highest nitrogen content?

Calculate the mass of each sample. a. 15.7 mol HNO3 b. 1.04 * 10-3 mol H2O2 c. 72.1 mmol SO2 d. 1.23 mol xenon difluoride

Tartaric acid is the white, powdery substance that coats tart candies such as Sour Patch Kids. Combustion analysis of a 12.01-g sample of tartaric acid- which contains only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen-produces 14.08 g CO2 and 4.32 g H2O. Determine the empirical formula for tartaric acid.

Determine the number of each type of atom in each formula. a. Mg3(PO4)2 b. BaCl2 c. Fe(NO2)2 d. Ca(OH)2
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Nuclear Chemistry

Read Explanation

Physical Chemistry

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.