Question

Determine the number of bonding electrons and the number of nonbonding electrons in the structure of OF2. Enter the number of bonding electrons followed by the number of nonbonding electrons in the dot structure of this molecule separated by a comma (e.g., 1,2). How do you do this?

Answer 1

There are 4 bonding electrons (2 pairs) and 16 non bonding electrons

Step-by-step explanation:

Working this out if quite easy first:

Calculate the total number of valence electrons.

F=7 (Since it's in row 17)

F=7

O=6

Total number of electrons equals 20

Then calculate the number of electrons if all the elements had full valence shells

F=8

F=8

O=8

Total number of electrons equals 24

Then minus the total number of full shells by the non full shells

24-20= 4

Divide this number by 2 (Since bonds consist of 2 electrons)

The total number of bonds is 2

we can then draw this by placing the O in the middle since there are 2 Florine molecules. Then we complete the Octet rule. (each element must have a total of 8 electrons around it including the bonding electrons. If you have done it correctly then the number of non bonding and bonding electrons should equal the total number of electrons in this case 20)

In the image I drew the bonding electrons as red and the non bonding electrons as black. Sometimes the bonding electrons are drawn as lines this is the same as drawing dots.