Lewis Structures
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Lewis Structures
When making a Lewis structure should I assume it is correct if I used the correct number of electrons or should I check formal charge to make sure I have the correct bonds?
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Re: Lewis Structures
I would check the formal charge. I checked formal charge in the practice quiz and got a different lewis structure. Since it doesn't have the answers with it, I can't be completely positive, but you may get different structures.
Re: Lewis Structures
You first obviously need to check for the correct number of electrons. This is a must for Lewis structures. However, you will almost always need to check formal charge for the best possible structure. For example, many times the central atom will have just 4 single bonds, but the central atom may be sulfur, in which the formal charge would be +2. Two double bonds and two single bonds connected sulfur would lower the formal charge then to 0. They would be different structures, but one with more atoms with a formal charge of 0.
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Re: Lewis Structures
Joseph Lew 1K wrote:When making a Lewis structure should I assume it is correct if I used the correct number of electrons or should I check formal charge to make sure I have the correct bonds?
You should check the formal charge to ensure that the molecule is at its most ideal state.
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