Question

In the following resonating structures A and B the number ofunshared electrons invalenceshell present on oxygen respectively are

Answer 1

Answer:

Unshared electrons refer to outer (valence) electrons not part of a covalent bond. Shared electrons are those participating in a bond. Subtract the number of shared electrons (bonds x 2) from the number of valence electrons to discover number of unshared electrons.

Valence Electrons

Shared and unshared electrons are in the valence electron shell. Valence electrons form the “outside” of an atom and participate in bonding. It is important that shared and unshared electrons add up to the proper number of valence electrons.