Chapter 16, Problem 12STP

To determine

To Explain: The given diagram.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The chemical properties of an element can be determined by the number of electrons present in the outermost energy level. These outermost electrons can be represented by a diagram called the electron dot diagram.

In case of an electron dot diagram, the chemical symbol of an element is surrounded by the number of dots which represent the number of outermost electrons present in the element. So, the given diagram is called the electron dot diagram which represents the number of outermost electrons present. In the diagram, sodium combines with chlorine such that they both have the complete outermost levels. And the dots represent the outermost electrons.

Conclusion:

Thus, the given diagram is the electron dot diagram and the dots represent outermost electrons.