Q. Lewis dot structure for \( \mathrm{F_2} \).
Answer
For the Lewis dot structure of \( \mathrm{F_2} \): each fluorine atom has \(7\) valence electrons, so total valence electrons \(= 14\).
\( \mathrm{F} \) atoms are nonmetals and form a single covalent bond that lets each atom achieve an octet. The two shared electrons form one bond, and the remaining \(12\) electrons are placed as lone pairs.
Lewis dot structure: \(\mathrm{F-F}\) with 3 lone pairs on each F (one bond pair between them).
Final result:
F has 3 lone pairs and one bond to the other F F–F with one shared pair Total: 3 lone pairs on each F + 1 bond (octets satisfied)
Detailed Explanation
Goal: Draw the Lewis dot structure for the molecule \( \mathrm{F_2} \) (difluorine).
Step 1: Count the valence electrons
Each fluorine atom is in Group \(17\), so each fluorine has \(7\) valence electrons.
Total valence electrons for \( \mathrm{F_2} \):
\[ 7 + 7 = 14 \]
Step 2: Place the atoms and connect them
For \( \mathrm{F_2} \), the two fluorine atoms are connected by a bond.
Start by placing one single bond between the two atoms (this represents two shared electrons).
\[ \mathrm{F – F} \]
Step 3: Subtract the electrons used in the bond
A single bond uses \(2\) electrons.
Remaining electrons:
\[ 14 – 2 = 12 \]
Step 4: Distribute remaining electrons to complete octets
Fluorine follows the octet rule (it wants eight valence electrons around it).
In \( \mathrm{F_2} \), each fluorine already has \(2\) electrons in the bond (one shared pair). To reach an octet, each fluorine needs \(6\) additional electrons.
It’s standard to place these as three lone pairs on each fluorine.
So, for each fluorine:
\[ 3 \text{ lone pairs} = 6 \text{ electrons} \]
Step 5: Final Lewis dot structure
Total lone pairs: \(3\) on the first F and \(3\) on the second F, giving \(6\) lone pairs total, which uses \(12\) electrons. Together with the bonded pair, that makes \(14\) electrons.
Lewis structure:
\[ \mathrm{:F: \;-\; :F:} \]
And each fluorine has three lone pairs (in dot form):
\[ \mathrm{F} \] has \(3\) lone pairs, and the other \(\mathrm{F}\) also has \(3\) lone pairs.
Summary (what you should draw)
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Draw \( \mathrm{F – F} \).
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Place three lone pairs on each fluorine.
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Each fluorine has an octet (8 electrons around it).
General Chemistry FAQs
What is the Lewis dot structure of \(\mathrm{F_2}\)?
How many valence electrons does \(\mathrm{F_2}\) have?
How do I count the lone pairs in the Lewis structure of \(\mathrm{F_2}\)?
Why is the bond in \(\mathrm{F_2}\) a single bond?
What is the formal charge on each fluorine in \(\mathrm{F_2}\)?
Write the electron count and show how electrons are distributed in \(\mathrm{F_2}\).
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