Final answer:
To determine if something follows Lewis structure principles, you must first identify the central and surrounding atoms, then ensure all atoms follow the octet rule, using Lewis dot symbols to depict valence electrons. This helps predict bonding patterns and understand molecular polarity.
Step-by-step explanation:
To know if something is a Lewis structure, we refer to the guidelines set forth by G. N. Lewis, which detail how electrons are arranged around atoms in molecules. The process begins by identifying the central atom and surrounding atoms of the molecule.
After determining the central atom, one would follow an outlined set of steps, culminating with ensuring that the octet rule is satisfied for each atom in the molecule (or duet in the case of hydrogen). Lewis dot symbols, comprised of dots representing valence electrons around an element's chemical symbol, are pivotal in predicting bonding behavior and stoichiometry.
Notably, these structures help explain why elements form specific compounds, as the number of bonds is related to the number of unpaired electrons necessary to complete an atom's octet. Furthermore, by examining the symmetry of Lewis structures, we can assess molecular polarity as nonpolar molecules are symmetric while polar molecules have asymmetry either due to lone pairs of electrons on the central atom or different electronegativities in bonds.