Final answer:
A skeletal line structure is a simplified way to represent the arrangement of atoms in a molecule using lines and bends. Carbon atoms are represented by the ends and bends of a line, hydrogen atoms are not shown if attached to carbon, and other atoms are represented by their elemental symbols.
Step-by-step explanation:
A skeletal line structure of a molecule is a simplified way to represent the arrangement of atoms in the molecule. In this method, carbon atoms are represented by the ends and bends of a line, while hydrogen atoms are not shown if they are attached to a carbon. Other atoms like oxygen, nitrogen, etc., are represented by their elemental symbols.
For example, let's consider a simple molecule like methane (CH4). The skeletal line structure of methane would be represented as:
H-C-H
H