Question

valence electrons and lewis dot structures

• valence electrons are represented in diagrams called lewis dot structures.
• unlike regular atomic diagrams, lewis dot structures only display valence electrons and the element symbol.
• that means that a maximum of eight electrons can be drawn per atom.

drawing lewis dot structures:

1. draw the element symbol of the atom being drawn
2. identify how the number of valence electrons that element will have
3. draw the correct number of valence electrons around the element symbol. electrons will not be paired with another until all four sides contain one electron.

all of the electrons in an atom
only the valence electrons
electrons contained in shells 1, 2, and 3

Explanation:

The text clearly states that "Unlike regular atomic diagrams, Lewis dot structures only display valence electrons and the element symbol."

Answer:

only the valence electrons