Answer : The Lewis-dot structure of [tex]CH_4[/tex] is shown below.
Explanation :
Lewis-dot structure : It shows the bonding between the atoms of a molecule and it also shows the unpaired electrons present in the molecule.
In the Lewis-dot structure the valance electrons are shown by 'dot'.
The given molecule is, [tex]CH_4[/tex]
As we know that carbon has '4' valence electrons and hydrogen has '1' valence electron.
Therefore, the total number of valence electrons in [tex]CH_4[/tex] = 4 + 4(1) = 8
According to Lewis-dot structure, there are 8 number of bonding electrons and 0 number of non-bonding electrons.
Now we have to determine the formal charge for each atom.
Formula for formal charge :
[tex]\text{Formal charge}=\text{Valence electrons}-\text{Non-bonding electrons}-\frac{\text{Bonding electrons}}{2}[/tex]
[tex]\text{Formal charge on C}=4-0-\frac{8}{2}=0[/tex]
[tex]\text{Formal charge on }H_1=1-0-\frac{2}{2}=0[/tex]
[tex]\text{Formal charge on }H_2=1-0-\frac{2}{2}=0[/tex]
[tex]\text{Formal charge on }H_3=1-0-\frac{2}{2}=0[/tex]
[tex]\text{Formal charge on }H_4=1-0-\frac{2}{2}=0[/tex]
Hence, the Lewis-dot structure of [tex]CH_4[/tex] is shown below.
