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Simplified Lewis Structure Drawing for Nonscience Majors

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Barnabe B. Miburo

Motlow State Community College, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 88100, Tullahoma, TN 37388-8100

J. Chem. Educ., 1998, 75 (3), p 317

DOI: 10.1021/ed075p317

Publication Date (Web): March 1, 1998

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Lewis structures are drawn using a simplified novel method with the following features: 1) the atoms used are brought in carrying all their valence electrons; 2) bonds are created by pairing up valence electrons between the central atoms and peripheric atoms; 3) anions are formed by addition of electrons to single electrons on appropriate atoms, while cations are formed by removal of single electrons. This method yields structures with the lowest formal charges on any given atom. As a result, the traditional steps to count the total number of valence electrons and to calculate the formal charge on each atom in a structure is bypassed. The method is intended for use by non-chemistry majors primarily in two-year colleges.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Curriculum

Keywords (Subject):

Learning Theories

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This article has been cited by 3 ACS Journal articles (3 most recent appear below).

Lost in Lewis Structures: An Investigation of Student Difficulties in Developing Representational Competence
Melanie M. Cooper, Nathaniel Grove and Sonia M. Underwood, Michael W. Klymkowsky
Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (8), 869-874
- Lost in Lewis Structures: An Investigation of Student Difficulties in Developing Representational Competence
  Melanie M. Cooper, Nathaniel Grove and Sonia M. Underwood, Michael W. Klymkowsky
  Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (8), 869-874
  Because Lewis structures provide a direct connection between molecular structure and properties, the ability to construct and use them is an integral component of many chemistry courses. Although a great deal of time and effort has been dedicated to ...
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
The Role of Lewis Structures in Teaching Covalent Bonding
S. R. Logan
Journal of Chemical Education2001 78 (11), 1457
- The Role of Lewis Structures in Teaching Covalent Bonding
  S. R. Logan
  Journal of Chemical Education2001 78 (11), 1457
  The approach of G. N. Lewis to the sharing of electrons between atoms in what came to be called the covalent bond was, in advance of the discovery of quantum theory, a piece of profound chemical intuition. In the light of the various advances since that ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
Lewis Structures Are Models for Predicting Molecular Structure, Not Electronic Structure
Gordon H. Purser
Journal of Chemical Education1999 76 (7), 1013
- Lewis Structures Are Models for Predicting Molecular Structure, Not Electronic Structure
  Gordon H. Purser
  Journal of Chemical Education1999 76 (7), 1013
  This article argues against a close relationship between Lewis dot structures and electron structure obtained from quantum mechanical calculations. Lewis structures are a powerful tool for structure prediction, though they are classical models of bonding ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links