Solution
Step [1] Arrange the atoms.
• Place C in the center and 4 H’s on the periphery.
• Note that C is surrounded by four atoms, its usual
number.
Adding four two-electron bonds around carbon uses all eight valence
electrons, and so there are no lone pairs. To check whether a Lewis
structure is valid, we must answer YES to three questions:
• Have all the electrons been used?
• Is each H surrounded by two electrons?
• Is each second-row element surrounded by no more than eight
electrons?
The answer to all three questions is YES, so the Lewis structure
drawn for CH4 is valid.
Latihan: