Lewis Structures
Steps:
Total number of electrons: Add together all of the valence electrons of the individual
atoms
Draw bonds connecting all the atoms
Complete the octets of atoms with Lone Pairs
Count by twos the number of bonds and lone pairs (each bond or lone pair=2 electrons)
If the count = the total number of electrons: Stop. You have the correct structure!
If the count is too high, take away a lone pair off of two connecting atoms and draw
a double bond.
If the count = the total number of electrons: Stop. You have the correct structure!
If the count is too high, take away a lone pair off of two connecting atoms and draw
a double bond.
If the count = the total number of electrons: Stop. You have the correct structure!
Examples: Carbon dioxide CO2
Total number of electrons