Rules for writing Lewis Structures

  • Sum the valence electrons from all of the atoms to get the total number of electrons.

  • Use a pair of electrons to form a bond between each pair of bound atoms.

  • Arrange the remaining electrons to satisfy the duet rule for hydrogen and the octet rule for the remaining elements.

  • Use a line to indicate shared electron pairs (bonding pairs) and dots to indicate non-bonding pairs (lone pairs).

  • Lets look at some examples.

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