How can I write the Lewis dot structure for C2H6?

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How can I write the Lewis dot structure for C2H6?

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Answer 1 · 2015-01-11T19:52:05

The first step in drawing the Lewis dot structure for ethane ( $C_{2} H_{6}$ $C_2H_6$ ) is to determine how many valence electrons are available for the molecule.

Since $C$ $C$ has 4 valence electrons, and each $H$ $H$ atoms contributes 1 valence electron, the total number of electrons will be

$2 \cdot 4 + 6 \cdot 1 = 14$ $2*4 + 6*1 = 14$ $e^{-}$ $"e"^(-)$

This means that the Lewis dot structure for $C_{2} H_{6}$ $C_2H_6$ must account for 14 valence electrons, either through bonding between atoms, or through lone pairs.

So, the two $C$ $C$ atoms are placed in the center of the molecule. Each $C$ $C$ atom forms three covalent bonds with three $H$ $H$ atoms, with one aditional covalent bond being formed between the two $C$ $C$ atoms.

Each of these seven single bonds contains 2 electrons, which means that a total of

$7 \cdot 2 = 14$ $7 * 2 = 14$ $e^{-}$ $"e"^(-)$ were used for the $C_{2} H_{6}$ $C_2H_6$ molecule.

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How can I write the Lewis dot structure for C2H6?

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