Final answer:
Step 2 of writing Lewis structures with the octet rule is to determine the total number of valence electrons in the molecule or ion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Step 2 of writing Lewis structures with the octet rule is to determine the total number of valence electrons in the molecule or ion. This step is important because valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom and they determine the reactivity and bonding properties of the atom.
To determine the total number of valence electrons, you need to know the number of valence electrons for each atom in the molecule or ion. For example, hydrogen (H) has 1 valence electron and oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons. You then add up the valence electrons for all the atoms in the molecule or ion.
Once you have determined the total number of valence electrons, you can move on to the next step in writing the Lewis structure.