the number of nonbonding electrons exceeds the number of bonding electrons in the Lewis structure of which of the following molecules?
HCN
NH3
H2O
more than one correct response
no correct response
if more than one correct response please show all correct responses.
thanks
Why don't you draw the structures and count the electrons? I can't draw the structures on this forum but you can find them on Google.
no correct response
To determine whether the number of nonbonding electrons exceeds the number of bonding electrons in the Lewis structure of each molecule, we need to first draw the Lewis structures for each molecule.
1. HCN:
The Lewis structure of HCN consists of hydrogen (H), carbon (C), and nitrogen (N). Hydrogen can only form one bond, carbon can form four bonds, and nitrogen can form three bonds. The structure would be:
H: C: N:
| | |
H-C≡N
In this structure, the nitrogen atom has one lone pair of electrons, which are nonbonding electrons. The number of nonbonding electrons exceeds the number of bonding electrons.
2. NH3:
The Lewis structure of NH3 consists of nitrogen (N) and three hydrogen atoms (H). Nitrogen can form three bonds, and hydrogen can only form one bond. The structure would be:
H
|
H - N - H
|
H
In this structure, the nitrogen atom has one lone pair of electrons, which are nonbonding electrons. The number of nonbonding electrons exceeds the number of bonding electrons.
3. H2O:
The Lewis structure of H2O consists of oxygen (O) and two hydrogen atoms (H). Oxygen can form two bonds, and hydrogen can only form one bond. The structure would be:
H
|
H - O - H
In this structure, the oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons, which are nonbonding electrons. The number of nonbonding electrons exceeds the number of bonding electrons.
Therefore, for the molecules HCN, NH3, and H2O, the number of nonbonding electrons exceeds the number of bonding electrons, resulting in more than one correct response.