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Ch.10 - Chemical Bonding I: The Lewis Model
Chapter 10, Problem 63a

Write a Lewis structure that obeys the octet rule for each molecule or ion. Include resonance structures if necessary and assign formal charges to each atom. a. SeO2

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Lewis Structures

Lewis structures are diagrams that represent the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. They use dots to represent valence electrons and lines to represent bonds. Understanding how to draw Lewis structures is essential for visualizing molecular geometry and predicting reactivity.
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Octet Rule

The octet rule is a chemical rule of thumb that states atoms tend to bond in such a way that they each have eight electrons in their valence shell, achieving a stable electron configuration similar to that of noble gases. This rule helps predict the arrangement of electrons in molecules and is crucial for determining the validity of a Lewis structure.
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Formal Charge

Formal charge is a concept used to determine the charge of an atom in a molecule based on its valence electrons, the number of bonds it forms, and the number of lone electrons it possesses. Calculating formal charges helps assess the stability of a Lewis structure and identify the most favorable resonance structures, ensuring that the overall charge of the molecule is accurately represented.
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