Question

chemistry resources
covalent compounds can be represented by bohr model diagrams and lewis dot structures.
bohr model of cl₂
lewis dot structures of cl₂
in a lewis dot structure, bonding electrons are represented by a pair of dots or a single line between the atoms. unshared electron pairs around the outside of the atoms are called nonbonding electrons or lone pairs.
select the true statements.

1. there are two bonding electrons in a chlorine molecule.
2. there are three lone pairs in a chlorine molecule.
3. a single line between two atoms represents one shared electron.
4. a chlorine molecule has 14 total valence electrons.

Explanation:

1. For the first statement: The Cl₂ molecule has a single covalent bond, which consists of 2 shared (bonding) electrons. This is true.
2. For the second statement: Each Cl atom in Cl₂ has 3 lone pairs, so the total lone pairs in the molecule are 6, not 3. This is false.
3. For the third statement: A single line in a Lewis structure represents a pair of shared electrons (2 total), not 1. This is false.
4. For the fourth statement: A single Cl atom has 7 valence electrons, so two Cl atoms have \(7 \times 2 = 14\) total valence electrons. This is true.

Answer:

• There are two bonding electrons in a chlorine molecule.
• A chlorine molecule has 14 total valence electrons.