• The number of dots around an atom is the 
   same as the number of valence electrons. (The 
   same as the group number)
  • Ex.    
  Steps in Electron Dot Diagrams (EDD for short)
  Example A. Hydrogen forms a covalent bond 
  with another hydrogen atom to form a hydrogen 
  molecule   H2 
  1. Figure out how many atoms of each element 
   you need. Draw the electron dot diagram for 
   each of the atoms separately. 
    2. Decide how many electrons each atom wants 
    to GAIN to have a full outer energy level! 
    (usually occurs between nonmetals who want to 
    gain electrons). 
                          Each H atom wants 
                          to gain 1 to have a 
                          full outer energy 
                          level!
  3. Line up the electrons to get ready to share.
  4. For each two electrons that will be shared, 
  replace the dots with a bond (a line). Continue 
  until each is atom “happy” when you count 
  shared and any remaining valence electrons.  
               Example B.
   • Hydrogen and oxygen bond covalently to form 
    a water molecule:    H 0
                    2
     1) Figure out how many atoms of each element you 
    need. Draw the electron dot diagram for each of the 
    atoms separately.