Question

Select the correct Lewis dot structure among the following.​

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

The correct option is D

The atomic number, electronic configuration and valence electrons for oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine and chlorine are given in the table below:

$\begin{array}{cccc}\text{Element}& \text{Atomic no.}& \text{Electronic configuration}& \text{Valence electrons}\\ \text{Oxygen}& 8& 2,6& 6\\ \text{Nitrogen}& 7& 2,5& 5\\ \text{Fluorine}& 9& 2,7& 7\\ \text{Chlorine}& 17& 2,8,7& 7\end{array}$

The number of electrons required by an atom of oxygen to achieve the octet is two. Each oxygen atom shares two electrons with another oxygen atom to achieve the octet and forms oxygen molecule.​
Similarly, each nitrogen atom shares three electrons with another nitrogen atom to achieve the octet and forms nitrogen molecule.​
Similarly, each fluorine atom shares one electron with another fluorine atom to achieve the octet and forms fluorine molecule.​
Similarly each chlorine atom shares one electron with another chlorine atom to achieve the octet and forms chlorine molecule.​
So the number of electrons shared between the atoms in a molecule of oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine and fluorine are 4, 6, 2 and 2 respectively. Therefore, option (d) is correct.​