Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the best Lewis structure for the neutral compound CoCl_2?
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Multiple Choice
In the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound NF_3, how many lone pairs of electrons are present on the nitrogen atom?
A
3
B
2
C
0
D
1
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the total number of valence electrons for the nitrogen atom. Nitrogen is in group 15, so it has 5 valence electrons.
Recognize that in NF_3, nitrogen forms three single bonds with three fluorine atoms. Each bond uses one of nitrogen's valence electrons.
Calculate the number of electrons used in bonding by nitrogen: 3 bonds × 1 electron per bond = 3 electrons.
Determine the remaining valence electrons on nitrogen by subtracting bonding electrons from total valence electrons: 5 - 3 = 2 electrons.
Since a lone pair consists of 2 electrons, nitrogen has 1 lone pair of electrons in NF_3.
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