Final answer:
Using the NAS idea, 4 electrons are shared in the molecule HOCl, as hydrogen is bonded to oxygen and oxygen is bonded to chlorine, each with a single bond representing 2 electrons being shared.
Step-by-step explanation:
The NAS idea refers to the number of electron pairs involved in bonding within a compound. For the compound HOCl (Hypochlorous acid), you can determine the number of shared electrons by looking at the Lewis structure of the molecule. In this case:
- Oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons as it is in group 16.
- Chlorine (Cl) also has 7 valence electrons as it is in group 17.
- Hydrogen (H) has 1 valence electron being in group 1.
Starting with the Lewis structure, hydrogen will share its 1 electron with oxygen, and oxygen will share 2 of its electrons with chlorine, forming a single bond with each. This accounts for 4 electrons being shared in total as each single bond represents 2 electrons being shared between atoms.
Therefore, 2 bonds are formed involving 4 electrons. The answer is option 1) 4 shared electrons.