How do I know to draw in a lewis dot structure, a single, double, triple bond, etc?

Answer 1

Each atom has to have 8 electrons (dots) around it.

Calculate the total number of electrons available and make sure each has eight around it.

It is kinda like a puzzle to figure out how they are placed.

Answer 2

oooh yeah! i just learned this. Ok so you count the valence electrons that the atom has (use your periodic table and do the electron configuration to find out how many valence electrons there are) you draw one dot to represent each valence electron. Then you have to link the atoms together. Count up the number of valence electrons you have in the compound. A single bond is represened by one line linking one atom to the next, 2 is two lines, and 3 is three lines. Each line represents 2 valence electrons. So if you had a triple bond the two connected atoms already have 6 of the 8 electrons they need. Use your remaining electrons as the dots. Just make sure at the end each atom has 8 valence electrons once you are done.

Answer 3

You are given the molecular formula of the compound. Add up the total valence electrons you have. Distribute the electrons around the atoms in order to satisfy the octet rule. If you run out of electrons then you have to form double or triple bonds in order to satisfy the octet rule.

Answer 4

look at the name of the compound, in the case of hydrocarbons, if they end in -ane its a single bond, -ene double bond, -yne triple bond.......for other compounds just look at the number of valence electrons each has, N2 for example each N has 3 valence e's so it forms triple bond