Lewis Structures

Lewis structures are diagrams that represent the valence electrons of atoms within a molecule, highlighting how these electrons are shared or transferred to form chemical bonds. In these structures, dots represent electrons, while lines indicate covalent bonds between atoms, helping to visualize the arrangement of atoms and the distribution of electrons in a molecule. Lewis structures are essential for predicting molecular geometry, bond angles, and the presence of lone pairs, which can influence the molecule's reactivity and properties. They also provide a foundation for understanding resonance, where multiple valid structures can represent the same molecule, indicating the delocalization of electrons.