Lewis structures, also called electron-dot structures or electron-dot diagrams, are diagrams that show the bonding between atoms of a molecule, and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist in the molecule.

A Lewis structure can be drawn for any covalently-bonded molecule, as well as coordination compounds.

Lewis structures show each atom in the structure of the molecule using its chemical symbol.

Lines are drawn between atoms that are bonded to one another (rarely, pairs of dots are used instead of lines).

Excess electrons that form lone pairs are represented as pair of dots, and are placed next to the atoms on which they reside.

The Lewis structure for an individual atom is drawn by placing a dot around the atom for each valence electron available.

There are four positions available for dots to be placed; most chemists draw them on the top, left, bottom, and right of the atom..

For more information about the topic Lewis structure in chemistry, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Chemical bond — A chemical bond is the physical phenomenon of chemical substances being held together by attraction of atoms to each other through sharing, as well ...  > read more

Resonance (chemistry) — Resonance in chemistry is a tool used (predominately in organic chemistry) to represent certain types of molecular structures. Resonance is a key ...  > read more

Molecule — In general, a molecule is the smallest particle of a pure chemical substance that still retains its composition and chemical properties. In chemistry ...  > read more

Electrical conduction — Electrical conduction is the movement of electrically charged particles through a transmission medium. The movement can form an electric current in ...  > read more

Related Stories

Smallest Quantum Dots Ever Created (January 28, 2009) — Single atom quantum dots make possible a new level of control over individual electrons, a development that suddenly brings quantum dot-based devices within reach. Composed of a single atom of ...  > read more

Chemists Discover Rare Rydberg Molecule With 'New' Type Of Bonding (May 13, 2009) — A newly discovered rare "Rydberg" molecule has upheld the scientific theory predicting the molecule existed. Chemists used a gas of rubidium atoms cooled to a temperature of 3 millionths of a degree ...  > read more

"Quantum Dots" Could Form Basis Of New Computers (September 25, 2001) — Scientists at Purdue University are helping researchers take a quantum leap in computer technology. They have linked two tiny structures — quantum dots — in such a way that is essential ...  > read more

Carbon Molecule With A Charge Could Be Tomorrow's Semiconductor (September 10, 2008) — As part of the research to place gadolinium atoms inside the carbon cage of a fullerene molecule for MRI applications, researchers created an 80-atom carbon molecule with two yttrium ions inside. ...  > read more

Researchers Discover How To Focus On Tiniest Of The Very Small (June 20, 2006) — Researchers at Cornell have developed a technique to get a closer-than-ever look at individual atoms within crystal molecules -- allowing them, for the first time, to see the physical alignment of ...  > read more

Search ScienceDaily

Wasps: Man's New Best Friend!