Chapter 8.2, Problem 16LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The role of an electron dot structure to represent a covalent bond needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction: An electron dot structure represents the arrangement of total valence electrons in a molecule. Here, electrons are represented as dots in pairs to show the lone pairs as well as the bond pairs.

Explanation of Solution

A covalent bond is formed by sharing of electrons between two atoms. Here, atoms can share one, two, and three electron pairs to form single, double, and triple covalent bonds respectively. Here, covalent bonds are represented by bond pair of electrons where electrons are shown as dots between two atoms bonded together. For example, the electron dot structure of ${\text{CH}}_{\text{4}}$ molecule is as follows:

  

Here, covalent bonds between C and H atoms are represented by bonding pairs of electrons.