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The central atom in a Lewis structure is usually the least electronegative atom.

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If an atom occurs only once, this atom is most likely to be the central atom (exception is hydrogen, as it can make only 1 bond [1 electron necessary to reach a noble gas electron configuration]). The atom that can form the greatest number of bonds (has the least number of valence electrons) or is the least electronegative (least likely to attract atoms).

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βˆ™ 12y ago
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βˆ™ 6mo ago

The central atom in a Lewis structure is typically the least electronegative atom or the atom that can make the most bonds. It is usually the atom that appears only once in the chemical formula.

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βˆ™ 15y ago

It is usually the the one with the highest valence, the one with the lowest electronegativity, or, for organic molecules, the carbon atom.

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βˆ™ 8y ago

It is where all the pairs of electrons are centered around.

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βˆ™ 12y ago

The least-electronegative atom is central (except for hydrogen, which is never central).

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βˆ™ 11y ago

Usually some nonmetal, but if a compound of oxygen with another nonmetalit will be the other nonmetal, not oxygen.

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βˆ™ 10y ago

In a Lewis structure the least electronegative atom is usually the central atom

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βˆ™ 12y ago

why do you even care

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Q: In a lewis structure which atom is usually the central atom?
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Continue Learning about Chemistry

What is the Lewis structure for germanium iodide?

The Lewis structure for germanium iodide (GeI4) has germanium (Ge) as the central atom surrounded by four iodine (I) atoms. Each iodine atom is bonded to the germanium atom with a single bond, and there are no lone pairs on the germanium atom.


What is the central atom in the Lewis dot structure of nitryl chloride ClNO2?

The central atom in the Lewis dot structure of nitryl chloride (ClNO2) is nitrogen (N). Nitrogen is bonded to one oxygen atom and one chlorine atom, while the other oxygen atom is bonded to nitrogen with a double bond. The remaining oxygen atom holds a lone pair of electrons.


What is the Lewis Structure of Cl2O7?

The Lewis structure of Cl2O7 has one central chlorine atom double-bonded to each of the outer oxygen atoms, with single bonds and lone pairs on the other oxygen atoms. The structure also has two double bonds with one oxygen atom at each end of the molecule.


Why is Hydrogen and Fluorine cannot be central atoms in Lewis dot structurs?

Hydrogen cannot be a central atom in a Lewis structure because it can only form one bond due to its single electron. Fluorine cannot be a central atom because it is highly electronegative and prefers to be on the outside of a molecule, typically forming one bond.


In the best Lewis structure for the fulminate ion cno- what is the formal charge on the central nitrogen atom?

The best Lewis structure for the fulminate ion (CNO-) has a formal charge of -1 on the central nitrogen atom. This is achieved by placing all three atoms in a linear structure with a triple bond between carbon and nitrogen, and a single bond between nitrogen and oxygen.

Related questions

When drawing a Lewis structure the central atom is generally what type of atom when dealing with electronegative?

D. least electronegative atom


What is the Lewis structure for germanium iodide?

The Lewis structure for germanium iodide (GeI4) has germanium (Ge) as the central atom surrounded by four iodine (I) atoms. Each iodine atom is bonded to the germanium atom with a single bond, and there are no lone pairs on the germanium atom.


What is the central atom in the Lewis dot structure of nitryl chloride ClNO2?

The central atom in the Lewis dot structure of nitryl chloride (ClNO2) is nitrogen (N). Nitrogen is bonded to one oxygen atom and one chlorine atom, while the other oxygen atom is bonded to nitrogen with a double bond. The remaining oxygen atom holds a lone pair of electrons.


What is the Lewis Structure of Cl2O7?

The Lewis structure of Cl2O7 has one central chlorine atom double-bonded to each of the outer oxygen atoms, with single bonds and lone pairs on the other oxygen atoms. The structure also has two double bonds with one oxygen atom at each end of the molecule.


Draw the Lewis structure for tert-butyl?

The Lewis structure for tert-butyl (tert-butyl group) is a carbon atom (central atom) bonded to three other carbon atoms and one hydrogen atom. The central carbon has a total of four single bonds, satisfying its octet. The three carbon atoms are each bonded to the central carbon, and a hydrogen atom is bonded to one of the three carbon atoms.


Why is Hydrogen and Fluorine cannot be central atoms in Lewis dot structurs?

Hydrogen cannot be a central atom in a Lewis structure because it can only form one bond due to its single electron. Fluorine cannot be a central atom because it is highly electronegative and prefers to be on the outside of a molecule, typically forming one bond.


What is the Lewis structure for AX1E0?

The Lewis structure for AX1E0 is linear, with one central atom (A) and no lone pairs or unshared electron pairs (E). This means that A is bonded to one other atom (X) with a single bond.


What is the correct Lewis structure for carbononitridic chloride?

The correct Lewis structure for carbononitridic chloride, CClN, includes a central carbon atom bonded to a nitrogen atom and a chlorine atom, with a single bond between each atom. The carbon atom has two lone pairs of electrons.


In the best Lewis structure for the fulminate ion cno- what is the formal charge on the central nitrogen atom?

The best Lewis structure for the fulminate ion (CNO-) has a formal charge of -1 on the central nitrogen atom. This is achieved by placing all three atoms in a linear structure with a triple bond between carbon and nitrogen, and a single bond between nitrogen and oxygen.


How many lone pairs does SF6 have on central atom?

SF6 has no lone pairs on the central atom sulfur. It forms six bonds with fluorine atoms which gives it an octahedral geometry.


How to find the central atom in a compound?

To find the central atom in a compound, identify the element that is least electronegative or least likely to form multiple bonds. This element is usually located towards the center of the molecule. In a Lewis structure, the central atom is typically the one that is connected to the most other atoms.


What is the concept of the Lewis model of the atom?

The Lewis structure of an atom gives a clear illustration of the valence electrons.