Lewis Dot Structures

You have probably heard of the mineral graphite, since it is used in pencils. You have probably also heard of diamonds, which are rare and precious gemstones. These two naturally occurring minerals are so very different; however, they are both composed only of carbon atoms. The arrangement of atoms in both of these minerals caused graphite to be a soft and slippery, while diamonds are known for their unbelievable hardness. Why are two carbon-based minerals so very different? To find the answer you must look at the way carbon atoms are bonded together. In this topic, you will investigate how objects are bonded together by analyzing Lewis dot diagrams and Lewis dot structures.

Essential Question

• How are Lewis dot diagrams and structures helpful in determining stability and bonding ability?