middle atom

[lasarro]

How do we pick the central atom for a lewis dot structure of a molecule?

[JTijerina_4A]

Many times the central atom will be the atom that can form the most bonds based on the number of valence electrons it has.

[KHowe_1D]

Most of the time, the central atom is the atom that can form the most bonds with other atoms.

[JasonKwon_3k]

The central atom will usually be the atom that is stated first in the chemical equation. You can determine it by using ionization energy, as the atom with the lowest ionization energy will take up the role of central atom.

[Mariepahos4D]

generally, the element with the lowest ionization energy will be the central atom.

[Amanda Ung 4D]

The central atom is typically the element with the lowest ionization energy. Hydrogen can never be the central atom

[Megan Cao 1I]

the central atom should be the least electronegative atom

[Betania Hernandez 2E]

The central atom is usually the least electronegative one. Electronegativity increases as you go from left to right across a period and increases as you go up a group in the periodic table.

[Varadhan_3G]

The central atom is the one with the comparatively lower electronegativity because an atom in the central position shares more of its electrons than does a terminal atom. :)

[selatran1h]

The atom with the lowest ionization energy is usually the central atom.

[Marykate Abad 3L]

The atom with the least electronegativity is the middle atom.

[Aarushi Solanki 4F]

The central atom is typically the least electronegative atom.

[derinceltik1K]

you should pick the central atom based on electronegativity. the least electronegative should be in the middle. You can also use ionization energy as an indicator. It should be the lowest as well for the central atom.

[AmyL_3L]

The central atom is the least electronegative atom.