Question

What is the Dot Structure for S2- and N3-?
@Vuriffy

Answer 1

@Nnesha, can you help me with this one? Its simple dot structure :P

Answer 2

@Kainui @justynwilke @johnsmith31613 @kittiwitti1 @Awolflover1 @AloneS @algtrigcalc

Answer 3

The dot structure is a way of putting only the highest energy electrons (called the valence electrons) around an atom.

So first thing you gotta do is find out, how many electrons do we have to put on the atom? Let's start with N3- since it's easier.

How many electrons does N3- have total, any idea?

Answer 4

Umm...let me think.................................................10 electrons?

Answer 5

Yeah good! So now that's all of the electrons, but for the dot structure we only care about the highest energy ones ( since those have the potential to bond with other things easiest and that's why chemists care! )

So now you sorta have to know how the energy levels are divided up. You can derive this by solving something called the Schrodinger equation from quantum mechanics; but instead let's just take the easy way out and look at the actual results of those calculations.

Are you familiar with s and p orbitals at all yet, what have you learned about them? Take a guess how to fill in the extra orbitals and I'll try to help you where you have gaps in your knowledge.

Answer 6

Oh, i don't know about S and P orbitals. I heard of them, but don't know them yet.
I would love to know :)

Answer 7

Alright so first things first:

Each orbital can hold 2 electrons.

Here's a pic of what they can be visualized as more or less:

http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/beginning-chemistry/section_12/b89ffad445776641a493a18b3200d2f1.jpg

The blue one is an s orbital, there are 3 kinds of p orbitals, and there are 5 kinds of d orbitals. You probably won't use d orbitals much.

So now how are they ordered?

Answer 8

What ordered? I don't understand what your asking.
Sorry.

Answer 9

Well, ok there are multiple s orbitals and p orbitals of increasing energy, not just "one s orbital" or something like that.

This is kind of complicated so I'll try to explain as best I can.



So you start filling up orbitals in the n=1 energy level. All that has is the singe, and first s orbital, \(1s\). You can throw 2 electrons in here.

The next level up has one s orbital and 3 p orbitals. So you can throw 2 electrons in each of these for a total of 8 electrons.

The electrons you can throw in here, this highest energy, are the ones that you will draw as little dots around N. Go for it, and ask questions if this is a bit too confusing!