Question

In most Lewis dot structures of neutral compounds, carbon as the central atom will be bound to a maximum of how many atoms, ni- trogen will be bound to a maximum of how many atoms, and oxygen will be bound to a maximum of how many atoms?

1. 4; 2; 2
2. 3; 3; 2
3. 5; 3; 2
4. 2; 3; 3
5. 4; 3; 2
6. 2; 2; 2
7. 3; 2; 1
8. 4; 3; 3
9. 3; 2; 2

Answer 1

5. 4; 3; 2

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon is in group 4, so it has 4 valence electrons and needs 4 electrons to be stable (octet rule). So it may share 4 electrons by a single, double or triple bond, then the maximum atoms it can be bond is 4.

Nitrogen is in group 5, so it has 5 valence electrons and needs 3 electrons to be stable. So it may share 3 electrons by a single, a double or a triple bond, then the maximum atoms it can be bond is 3.

Oxygen is in group 6, so it has 6 valence electrons and needs 2 electrons to be stable. So it may share 2 electrons by a single or a double bond, then the maximum atoms it can be bond is 2.