Textbook Question
Given the atoms involved and the number of valence electrons remaining, complete the Lewis structure by placing bonds between atoms such that each has a full octet.
(a)
1. A Review of General Chemistry
Lewis Structure
1:14 minutesProblem 55i
Textbook Question
How many valence electrons does each of the following contribute to a Lewis structure?
(i) Cl
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Recall the concept of valence electrons. Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom that participate in chemical bonding. The number of valence electrons for an element can be determined from its position in the periodic table.
Step 2: Locate chlorine (Cl) on the periodic table. Chlorine is in Group 17 (or Group VIIA in older notations), which is the halogen group.
Step 3: Understand that elements in Group 17 have 7 valence electrons because they are one electron short of completing their octet (8 electrons in the outer shell).
Step 4: Write the electron configuration of chlorine to confirm the number of valence electrons. The electron configuration of Cl is: . The outermost shell (n=3) contains 7 electrons (2 in 3s and 5 in 3p).
Step 5: Conclude that chlorine contributes 7 valence electrons to a Lewis structure, which is consistent with its group number and electron configuration.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Valence Electrons
Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are crucial for determining how an atom will bond with others. They are involved in chemical bonding and reactions, as they can be shared or transferred between atoms. For example, in the case of chlorine (Cl), it has seven valence electrons, which influences its reactivity and the types of bonds it can form.
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Lewis Structures
Lewis structures are diagrams that represent the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. They use dots to represent valence electrons and lines to represent bonds between atoms. Understanding how to draw Lewis structures is essential for visualizing molecular geometry and predicting the behavior of molecules in chemical reactions.
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Chlorine in Lewis Structures
In Lewis structures, chlorine typically contributes seven valence electrons, which allows it to form one covalent bond while having three lone pairs. This configuration is significant because it helps illustrate chlorine's tendency to gain an electron to achieve a stable octet, making it a highly reactive nonmetal. Recognizing chlorine's electron configuration is key to understanding its role in various chemical reactions.
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