Representing Valence Electrons with Dots

• In Lewis theory, the valence electrons of main-group elements are represented as dots surrounding the symbol of the element.
• The result is called a Lewis structure, or dot structure.
• Remember, the number of valence electrons for any main-group element (except helium, which has 2 valence electrons but is in
• Group 8A) is equal to the group number of the element.