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The electrons are shared between the two chemicals. Each chemical (element) wants a stable octet, so you must make sure both chemicals in the compound have eight valence electrons. Each chemical is connected by a line (bond) which represents two electrons, and you must draw the remaining electrons needed as either lone pairs or more bonds. You determine how many electrons you need in the entire diagram by finding the number of valence electrons for the first chemical and adding it to the number of valence electrons for the second chemical, and so on. If there is a sub number next to the chemical, you need to multiply the number of electrons for that one element times the sub number before adding it to the number of valence electrons for the other chemicals. You must make sure that your diagram has that number of dots/lines in it exactly, no more or no less.

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14y ago

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