When drawing the Lewis structure of a molecule, start by determining the total number of available valence based on each element's Then, use the total number of electrons needed for each element to be stable, generally based on to determine the by finding the difference between the number of needed and available electrons divided by two. Next, identify the central atom, which is the element with the other than hydrogen. Finally, arrange the number of bonds around the central atom to fulfill the stable number of electrons for each element.

group number

the octet rule

total number of bonds

fewest valence electrons

Explanation:

When drawing the Lewis structure of a molecule, start by determining the total number of available valence based on each element's group number Then, use the total number of electrons needed for each element to be stable, generally based on the octet rule to determine the total number of bonds by finding the difference between the number of needed and available electrons divided by two. Next, identify the central atom, which is the element with the fewest valence electrons other than hydrogen. Finally, arrange the number of bonds around the central atom to fulfill the stable number of electrons for each element.