Multiple Choice
How many electrons should be shown in the Lewis dot symbol for hydrogen?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Symbols
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct Lewis dot symbol for the calcium ion, Ca^{2+}?
A
Ca ext{ with eight dots}
B
Ca^{2+} ext{ with two dots}
C
Ca^{2+}
D
Ca^{+} ext{ with one dot}
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the Lewis dot symbol represents the valence electrons of an atom or ion as dots around the element's symbol.
Determine the number of valence electrons in a neutral calcium (Ca) atom. Calcium is in group 2 of the periodic table, so it has 2 valence electrons.
Understand that when calcium forms a Ca^{2+} ion, it loses 2 electrons, which means it has no valence electrons left to represent as dots.
Therefore, the Lewis dot symbol for Ca^{2+} should show the element symbol 'Ca' with no dots around it, indicating zero valence electrons.
Compare this with the options: any dots around Ca^{2+} would be incorrect because the ion has lost its valence electrons.
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