what do the number of dots in a lewis structure represent?

Question

its the number of valence electrons right?

Answer 1

yes, it is valence electrons. traditionally, the two dots at the top signify up to two electrons in the s-orbital, and the pairs around the side represent up to two electrons in each of 3 p-orbitals. the p-orbitals must all fill with one e- before any can have 2 e-, according to Hund's Rule. That was probably way more info than you needed =)

Answer 2

Yeah, they are valence electrons, or unshared electrons. Each dot represents an unshared electron, so the number of dots in a lewis structure represents the number of unshared electrons in that particular molecule.

Answer 3

yes

for example there would be a dt next to the element H, because theres only one electron

just learned it today =)

Answer 4

Yes, you're correct.