Each dot on an electron dot structure represents a valence electron.

When grouping dots, remember how electrons are grouped in subshells.​

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Drawing atomic electron dot diagrams.

Dot Diagrams of atoms

​Cations and anions are depicted in brackets, with the valence electrons inside the brackets and the charge above and to the right.

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Dot structures of ionic compounds

​When the ratio of cation to anion is not 1:1, coefficients are used to show the relative numbers of ions.​

Dot structures of ionic compounds

• Lines are drawn to show the bonds between atoms.

• Dots depict the unshared valence electrons.

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Lewis dot structures of covalent (molecular) compounds.

dot structures of covalent compounds