Question

N=C=C—C—O-C–C how many hydrogen atoms are in this electron configuration?

a) 4
b) 6
c) 8
d) 10

Answer 1

The electron configuration contains 12 valence electrons. Placing bonding pairs of electrons between bonded atoms gives H-C-H. The remaining electrons are added to oxygen as three lone pairs to give H-C-H.

Step-by-step explanation:

Each hydrogen atom (group 1) has one valence electron, carbon (group 14) has 4 valence electrons, and oxygen (group 16) has 6 valence electrons, for a total of [(2)(1) + 4 + 6] = 12 valence electrons.

Placing a bonding pair of electrons between each pair of bonded atoms gives the following: H-C-H

Six electrons are used, and 6 are left over. Adding all 6 remaining electrons to oxygen (as three lone pairs) gives the following: H-C-H