How can I raw dots-and-crosses diagrams (showing outer electrons only) for ammonia, #NH_3#?

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Answer 1 · 2015-06-26T17:05:11

You draw intersecting circles with the dots and crosses in the intersections.

Nitrogen (#"N"#) is in Group 15, so it has 5 outer electrons. It needs three more electrons to complete its octet.

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Hydrogen (#"H"#) is in Group 1, so it has 1 electron. It needs one more electron to complete its valence shell.

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Each atom can get a complete shell if three #"H"# atoms share their electrons and form covalent bonds with an #"N"# atom.

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Now, each #"H"# atom has two electrons, and #"N"# has eight electrons in its outer shell.