Dots vs lines to represent electrons

[Or Fisher 1I]

Hello,
Can we use lines to represent two electrons when drawing lewis structures? Not just for bonds but also for lone pairs on atoms. We did not discuss this in lecture but in discussion this was brought up as an option. Thanks.

[Chem_Mod]

Using lines around an atom to signify lone pairs is a shortcut that is not recommended. It does not take much extra time to draw in the lone pairs, and drawing in the lone pairs is more accurate, clearer, and will be more helpful in determining formal charge.

[Brynne Keyser 1B]

The lines represent a bond between two atoms. The dots represent lone pairs. You can only use the lines to represent bonds and the dots to represent lone pairs. \

Hope this helps!

[204917020]

When you want to draw a lone pair, you should use two dots to represent that. The line is just used for bonds between atoms, also representing 2 electrons. The line representing a bond between two atoms shows the sharing of two electrons between the atoms.

[004985802]

lines represent bonds not just pairs of electrons. denoting electron pairs as lines instead of dots would be inaccurate and confusing in showing atomic and molecular structure

[Adam Yaptangco 1D]

Lines should only be used for bonds while dots should only be used for lone pairs that are not bonded to another atom.

[Rummel Requerme 1E]

I've seen both cases in which problems used lines and dots, respectively. It is recommended, however, to use lines so as to easily identify bonds and to make it look more organized than to stack dots on top of each other.

[Jennifer Tuell 1B]

I prefer using the dots because it is helpful to calculate formal charge and keep track of valence electrons.

[Bijal Luhar]

Lines represent bonds. Dots represent lone electrons.