Question

Count the total number of valence electrons in the following species: (CH3)4N+ and (CH3)3SiCl

Answer 1

(a.) (CH₃)N⁺

Number of valence electrons in carbon atom = 4 electrons

Number of valence electrons in hydrogen atom = 1 electron

Number of valence electrons in nitrogen atom = 5 electrons

Total number of valence electrons = (number of carbon atoms) * (Number of valence electrons in carbon atom) + (number of hydrogen atoms) * (Number of valence electrons in hydrogen atom) + (number of nitrogen atoms) * (Number of valence electrons in nitrogen atom)

Total number of valence electrons = (4) * (4 electrons) + (12) * (1 electron) + (1) * (5 electrons)

Total number of valence electrons = 16 electrons + 12 electrons + 5 electrons

Total number of valence electrons = 33 electrons

(b.) (CH₃)₃SiCl

Number of valence electrons in carbon atom = 4 electrons

Number of valence electrons in hydrogen atom = 1 electron

Number of valence electrons in silicon atom = 4 electrons

Number of valence electrons in chlorine atom = 7 electrons

Total number of valence electrons = (number of carbon atoms) * (Number of valence electrons in carbon atom) + (number of hydrogen atoms) * (Number of valence electrons in hydrogen atom) + (number of nitrogen atoms) * (Number of valence electrons in nitrogen atom) + (number of chlorine atoms) * (Number of valence electrons in chlorine atom)

Total number of valence electrons = (3) * (4 electrons) + (9) * (1 electron) + (1) * (4 electrons) + (1) * (7 electrons)

Total number of valence electrons = 12 electrons + 9 electrons + 4 electrons + 7 electrons

Total number of valence electrons = 32 electrons