Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share electrons. The pairs of electrons which are shared between atoms and hence number of covalent bonds, can be represented by the number of lines drawn between the symbols for the atoms. For example, a single bond is represented by a single line drawn between the atomic symbols to give the structural forumla. Complete the structural formulae for the molecules below by dragging the appropriate bonds into the boxes between the three atoms.
O O N N F F
Apparently there are two or more structures you are to draw since the question talks about three atoms.
Are the two groups of atoms
O O N and
N F F or some other arrangement?
To complete the structural formulas for the molecules given, follow these steps:
1. Look at each molecule and identify the number of bonds each atom needs to form a stable configuration based on its valence electrons.
2. Oxygen (O) has six valence electrons and needs two more to complete its octet. So, two atoms of oxygen will share two electrons, forming a double bond.
To represent a double bond, drag the "=" sign between the two oxygen atoms in the first molecule: O = O.
3. Nitrogen (N) has five valence electrons and needs three more to complete its octet. So, two atoms of nitrogen will share three electrons, forming a triple bond.
To represent a triple bond, drag the "≡" sign between the two nitrogen atoms in the second molecule: N ≡ N.
4. Fluorine (F) has seven valence electrons and needs one more to complete its octet. So, two atoms of fluorine will share one electron, forming a single bond.
To represent a single bond, drag the "-" sign between the two fluorine atoms in the third molecule: F - F.
The completed structural formulas are:
1. O = O
2. N ≡ N
3. F - F