Using Lewis symbols and Lewis structures, make a sketch of the formation of NCl₃ from N and Cl atoms, showing valence-shell electrons. (b) How many bonds Cl has to make in order to achieve an octet?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Start by identifying the valence electrons for each atom. Nitrogen (N) has 5 valence electrons, and Chlorine (Cl) has 7 valence electrons. Represent these electrons using Lewis symbols: N with 5 dots around it and Cl with 7 dots around it.
2. To form NCl3, nitrogen will share its electrons with chlorine atoms to achieve a stable octet configuration. Draw the Lewis structure by placing nitrogen in the center and arranging three chlorine atoms around it.
3. Each chlorine atom needs one more electron to complete its octet. Therefore, each chlorine atom will form a single covalent bond with nitrogen by sharing one electron from nitrogen and one electron from chlorine.
4. In the Lewis structure, represent each shared pair of electrons (covalent bond) as a line between the nitrogen and chlorine atoms. This will show three single bonds between nitrogen and each chlorine atom.
5. Finally, verify that all atoms have achieved an octet configuration. Nitrogen should have 8 electrons around it (5 original + 3 shared), and each chlorine should have 8 electrons (7 original + 1 shared).