Determine the Lewis Dot Structure for the diazene molecule, N₂H₂.

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the total number of valence electrons available in the molecule. Nitrogen (N) has 5 valence electrons and hydrogen (H) has 1 valence electron. Since there are two nitrogen atoms and two hydrogen atoms, calculate the total number of valence electrons: 2(5) + 2(1) = 12 valence electrons.
2. Arrange the atoms with nitrogen atoms bonded to each other and each nitrogen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom. This gives a basic skeleton structure: H-N=N-H.
3. Distribute the valence electrons starting with the bonds. Each bond requires 2 electrons. Place 2 electrons between each pair of bonded atoms: H-N, N=N, and N-H. This uses 8 electrons (4 bonds x 2 electrons per bond).
4. Place the remaining electrons around the nitrogen atoms to satisfy the octet rule. Each nitrogen atom should have 8 electrons around it, including the electrons in bonds. Distribute the remaining 4 electrons as lone pairs on the nitrogen atoms.
5. Check the structure to ensure that all atoms have the appropriate number of electrons. Hydrogen atoms should have 2 electrons (a full shell), and nitrogen atoms should have 8 electrons (an octet). Adjust if necessary to ensure the structure is correct.