Question

Select all statements that are true about the Lewis Dot structure of H₃O⁺

A. there is 9 total valence electrons
B. Each hydrogen has 1 electron in the molecule
C. there is a total of 3 single bonds
D. there is 1 pair of nonbonding electrons on O

Answer 1

The Lewis Dot structure of H₃O⁺ has a total of 9 valence electrons, with each hydrogen having 1 electron and forming a single bond with oxygen. Oxygen has 1 pair of nonbonding electrons, making all given statements true.

Step-by-step explanation:

When analyzing the Lewis Dot structure of H₃O⁺, we need to take the following true statements into consideration:

There is indeed a total of 9 valence electrons. Oxygen has 6 valence electrons, and each hydrogen atom contributes one, but as it is a positively charged ion (H₃O⁺), we must subtract one electron.

Each hydrogen atom in the molecule does indeed have 1 electron, fulfilling the hydrogen atom's duet rule (2 electrons after bonding).

The molecule does have 3 single bonds; each hydrogen is singly bonded to the central oxygen atom.

There is indeed 1 pair of nonbonding electrons (2 electrons total) on the oxygen, which accounts for the last two valence electrons of oxygen not used in bonding.

The accurate representation of the Lewis Dot structure will reflect these facts.