Lewis Dot Structures
Lewis Dot Structures
A Lewis Dot Structure is an easy way to show how many electrons an element has on it outer
ring (valence electrons). Instead of drawing all of the rings as you would in a Bohr model, just
follow these easy steps…
A Lewis Dot Structure is an easy way to show how many electrons an element has on it outer
ring (valence electrons). Instead of drawing all of the rings as you would in a Bohr model, just
follow these easy steps…
1. Write the chemical symbol or abbreviation for the element. For example
for fluorine you would write:
1. Write the chemical symbol or abbreviation for the element. For example
for fluorine you would write:
F
F
2. Find the column the element is in. The top of each column has a number.
For example fluorine is
2. Find the column the element is in. The top of each column has a number.
For example fluorine is
17
17
3. The last number of the column is equal to the number of valence
electrons. For example, fluorine has
3. The last number of the column is equal to the number of valence
electrons. For example, fluorine has
7 outer electrons
7 outer electrons
4. Now, draw that number of dots around the symbol. For example,
4. Now, draw that number of dots around the symbol. For example,
F
F
Now draw the Lewis Dot Structures for the following elements:
1. Carbon
6. Bromine
11. Calcium
Now draw the Lewis Dot Structures for the following elements:
1. Carbon
6. Bromine
11. Calcium
2. Hydrogen
7. Potassium
12. Phosphorus
2. Hydrogen
7. Potassium
12. Phosphorus
3. Chlorine
8. Boron
13. Sulfur
3. Chlorine
8. Boron
13. Sulfur
4. Oxygen
9. Argon
14. Lithium
4. Oxygen
9. Argon
14. Lithium
5. Silicon
10. Magnesium
15. Aluminum
5. Silicon
10. Magnesium
15. Aluminum