W Winona New member Mar 29, 2009 #1 Each carbon atom has six electrons, why does the electron-dot representation of carbon only show four dots?
Each carbon atom has six electrons, why does the electron-dot representation of carbon only show four dots?
P petitericeball New member Mar 29, 2009 #2 The electron dot only uses the outermost (valence) electrons. Since carbon is in the second row, you don't need to show the electrons from hydrogen/helium
The electron dot only uses the outermost (valence) electrons. Since carbon is in the second row, you don't need to show the electrons from hydrogen/helium
