1. Determine the total number of valence electrons:
* Oxygen has 6 valence electrons.
* Hydrogen has 1 valence electron.
* The negative charge adds 1 extra electron.
Total valence electrons = 6 + 1 + 1 = 8
2. Arrange the atoms:
* Place the oxygen atom in the center, as it's the least electronegative.
* Place the hydrogen atom next to the oxygen.
3. Draw the electron dots:
* Oxygen needs two more electrons to complete its octet (8 valence electrons).
* Hydrogen needs one more electron to complete its duet (2 valence electrons).
4. Show the negative charge:
* Place square brackets around the structure to indicate it's an ion.
* Add a negative sign outside the bracket.
Here's the electron dot structure:
[ O : H ]⁻
Explanation:
* The oxygen atom has six dots around it, representing its six valence electrons.
* The hydrogen atom has one dot, representing its one valence electron.
* The two dots between the oxygen and hydrogen represent the shared electrons in the single covalent bond.
* The negative charge indicates that the hydroxide ion has gained one extra electron.
