Question

Which information would best help a student correctly draw a Lewis-dot diagram of an atom?

Answer 1

To create a Lewis-dot diagram, you need to know the number of valence electrons in an atom, use the element's symbol to represent the nucleus, arrange the electrons as dots around the symbol, and adjust the number of dots for ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

How to Draw a Lewis Electron Dot Diagram

To correctly draw a Lewis-dot diagram of an atom, a student needs certain pieces of information. The key steps are:

1. Determine the number of valence electrons in the atom. These are the electrons in the outermost shell that can participate in bonding.
2. Use the chemical symbol for the element to represent the nucleus and inner electrons.
3. Arrange the valence electrons around the chemical symbol using dots. Place up to two electrons (or one pair) on each side of the atomic symbol.
4. For ions, you will either add extra dots for anions (which have gained electrons) or subtract dots for cations (which have lost electrons).

Remember, the Lewis-dot structure is a visual representation of where the atom's valence electrons are likely to be found. For many elements, atoms will follow the octet rule in their compounds, aiming for a total of eight valence electrons to achieve stability.

Answer 2

Understanding the number of valence electrons and the atom's group in the periodic table would best aid a student in drawing a Lewis-dot diagram of an atom.

Explanation

Drawing a Lewis-dot diagram requires knowing the valence electrons, which are the outermost electrons involved in bonding. The number of valence electrons determines how an atom interacts in chemical reactions. For example, elements in the same group of the periodic table typically share similar valence electron configurations. Knowing an atom's group helps predict the number of valence electrons it possesses.

The periodic table provides a structured layout of elements based on their properties, including the number of valence electrons. Elements in the same column (group) have the same number of valence electrons, simplifying the process of creating Lewis-dot diagrams. For instance, Group 1 elements have one valence electron, Group 2 elements have two, and so forth. This pattern helps students quickly determine the number of valence electrons for various elements.

Understanding the relationship between an atom's position in the periodic table and its valence electrons allows students to grasp the fundamental principles underlying Lewis-dot diagrams. This knowledge serves as a foundational step in accurately representing an atom's electron configuration and predicting its chemical behavior through Lewis-dot diagrams.