Draw the Lewis structure for Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3
The correct answer and explanation is:
Lewis Structure of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃)
Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) consists of calcium ions (Ca²⁺) and carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻). Since calcium is a metal, it donates electrons to form a Ca²⁺ ion, and carbonate is a polyatomic ion with covalent bonds between carbon and oxygen.
Steps to Draw the Lewis Structure of CO₃²⁻
- Determine the total valence electrons:
- Carbon (C) has 4 valence electrons.
- Oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons (3 oxygen atoms = 18 electrons).
- The extra 2 negative charges contribute 2 more electrons.
- Total = 4 + 18 + 2 = 24 valence electrons.
- Sketch the basic structure:
- Carbon is the central atom.
- Three oxygens surround the carbon.
- Assign single bonds first:
- Draw single bonds between C and O, using 6 electrons (3 bonds × 2 electrons).
- Distribute remaining electrons:
- 24 – 6 = 18 electrons left.
- Distribute these on oxygen atoms to satisfy the octet rule.
- Check for octets and formal charges:
- Carbon lacks a full octet, so form a double bond with one oxygen.
- This results in one C=O bond and two C–O⁻ single bonds, where the negative charges reside on the two singly bonded oxygens.
Final Structure
- Calcium (Ca²⁺) does not participate in covalent bonding; it simply balances the charge.
- The final structure consists of:
- A carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻) with resonance between the oxygen atoms.
- A Ca²⁺ ion that interacts electrostatically.
Now, I will generate the image of the Lewis structure.
Here is the Lewis structure diagram for Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃). Let me know if you need any modifications or further explanations!
