Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding

Brown - Chemistry: The Central Science 14th Edition

Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232Not the one you use?Change textbook

Brown 14th Edition

Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding

Problem 13

Chapter 8, Problem 13

Write the Lewis symbol for atoms of each of the following elements: (a) Te (b) Si (c) Ar (d) P

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Identify the element: Argon (Ar) is a noble gas located in Group 18 of the periodic table.

Determine the number of valence electrons: Argon has 8 valence electrons because it is in Group 18.

Draw the Lewis symbol: Represent the argon atom with its chemical symbol 'Ar'.

Place the valence electrons around the symbol: Distribute the 8 valence electrons as dots around the 'Ar' symbol, ensuring that each side (top, bottom, left, right) has a pair of electrons.

Ensure the octet is complete: Since argon is a noble gas, it naturally has a complete octet, which is represented by the 8 dots around the 'Ar' symbol.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Lewis Symbols

Lewis symbols, also known as Lewis dot diagrams, represent the valence electrons of an atom as dots surrounding the element's symbol. This visual representation helps in understanding how atoms bond and interact with each other. Each dot corresponds to a valence electron, and the arrangement of these dots can indicate the atom's bonding behavior.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom and are crucial for chemical bonding. The number of valence electrons determines an element's reactivity and the types of bonds it can form. For example, noble gases like argon have a full valence shell, making them largely unreactive.

Noble Gases

Noble gases are a group of elements in Group 18 of the periodic table, characterized by their full valence electron shells. This configuration makes them stable and largely inert, meaning they do not readily form chemical bonds with other elements. Argon (Ar), as a noble gas, has eight valence electrons, which is why its Lewis symbol will show no dots, indicating its stability.

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