Drawing Lewis Structures

A recipe that always works

An interactive lesson with 7 steps, about 6 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Count electrons (adjusting for charge), connect, fill outer atoms, then fix the middle with multiple bonds.
• The atom making the most bonds usually goes in the middle; H is always outside.

Steps

1. An electron budget
2. Budget for CO₂
3. Budget for an ion
4. Who goes in the middle?
5. Formaldehyde
6. Where the rest went
7. Vinegar’s acid