1. Periodic Table Study Guide
How to Draw Lewis Structures

2. Lewis Structures Find your element on the periodic table.
Determine the number of valence electrons.
This is how many electron “dots” you will draw.

3. Lewis Structures Find out which group (column) your element is in.
This will tell you the number of valence electrons your element has.
You will only draw the valence electrons.

4. Groups - Review Group 8 = 8 electrons Group 1 = 1 electron
Except for He, it has 2 electrons
Group 2 = 2 electrons
Each column is called a “group”
3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Each element in a group has the same number of electrons in their outer orbital, also known as “shells”.
The electrons in the outer shell are called “valence electrons”

5. C Lewis Structures Write the element symbol.
Carbon is in the 4th group, so it has 4 valence electrons.
Starting at the top, draw 4 electrons, or dots, clockwise around the element symbol. C

6. C Lewis Structures On your worksheet, try these elements on your own:P Ca Ar Cl Al C
If you have MORE than four valence electrons, continue going around – clockwise – making pairs until the full octet is achieved

7. H Lewis Structures On your worksheet, try these elements on your own:P Ca Ar Cl Al H

8. P Lewis Structures On your worksheet, try these elements on your own:Ca Ar Cl Al P

9. Ca Lewis Structures On your worksheet, try these elements on your own:P Ca Ar Cl Al Ca

10. Ar Lewis Structures On your worksheet, try these elements on your own:P Ca Ar Cl Al Ar

11. Cl Lewis Structures On your worksheet, try these elements on your own:P Ca Ar Cl Al Cl

12. Al Lewis Structures On your worksheet, try these elements on your own:P Ca Ar Cl Al Al