Chemistry Lewis Structures - Bonding tutorials - Shortcut Method

21 important questions on Chemistry Lewis Structures - Bonding tutorials - Shortcut Method

What is the shortcut method for determining bonding patterns?

This is the “BOND-COUNTING” OR CHARGE-BASED SHORTCUT.

What is the first step in the shortcut method?

IDENTIFY THE CENTRAL ATOM.

What are the bonding capacities for Group 13?

Group 13 → 3 bonds.
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What are the bonding capacities for Group 14?

Group 14 → 4 bonds.

What are the bonding capacities for Group 15?

Group 15 → 3 bonds + 1 lone pair.

What are the bonding capacities for Group 16?

Group 16 → 2 bonds + 2 lone pairs.

What are the bonding capacities for Group 17?

Group 17 → 1 bond + 3 lone pairs.

What happens if an atom has a + charge?

It loses one bond (since it’s short an e⁻).

What happens if an atom has a - charge?

It gains one bond (extra e⁻).

What is the third step in the shortcut method?

MATCH “GIVERS” AND “TAKERS”.

What do you do after matching givers and takers?

Add up the bonds the central atom can form.

What is the fourth step in the shortcut method?

FILL IN LONE PAIRS (TO SATISFY OCTETS AND CHARGES).

What is the purpose of the shortcut method for Lewis structures?

How to quickly determine molecular structure using bonding assumptions.

What are the rules based on for bonding capacity?

Rules based on GROUP NUMBER → BONDING CAPACITY.

What does the shortcut method help predict?

Using this method to predict connectivity, minimize charges, and check stability.

What should you recognize regarding the octet rule?

Recognizing EXCEPTIONS TO THE OCTET RULE, especially for third-period elements.

What does formal charge indicate about resonance?

Relationship between formal charge and resonance — structures with equivalent formal charge distributions.

What does using formal charge help identify?

Using formal charge to identify MOST STABLE RESONANCE FORM.

What does predicting bonding capacity rely on?

Predicting bonding capacity based on periodic trends.

What should you recognize about octets?

Recognizing expanded and incomplete octets.

How are bond types linked to electron count?

Linking bond types (single, double, triple) to electron count and charge distribution.

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