Central Atom
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Central Atom
Do you determine the central atom of a Lewis structure using least ionization energy or electronegativity? Or does it not matter?
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Re: Central Atom
Since the trend for ionization energy, electron affinity and electronegativity are the same, you can use any (least ionization energy, greatest electron affinity and greatest electronegativity) to determine the central atom in Lewis structures.
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Re: Central Atom
It is best to choose the atom with the lowest ionization energy because as ionization energy decreases, you are more likely to find an atom that wants to share its electrons (get rid of them in a way) than hold on to them as lone pairs.
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Re: Central Atom
I use the least ionization energy to determine the central atom. Also, you could also look look for other clues to determine central atom: H is always at the ends, O is usually the one that has double bonds with another element, etc.
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