The symbol of an element is used to represent its nucleus and everything else, save its outer electrons. The first step in drawing a Lewis Dot Diagram is determining the look of the element's outer electrons. For this task, one must figure out the element's electron configuration. Click on the highlighted words for an explanation page for this concept. From an element's electron configuration, it is possible to identify the electrons in the outer energy level.
Every side represents an orbital and every orbital can hold up to two electrons.
Dots are drawn on appropriate sides representing the electrons in the orbitals. The greatest number of electrons that can be depicted in a Lewis Dot Diagram is eight. This means that they will always be drawn on the same side, although which side that is does not matter. Fordham Prep's chemistry course only requires students to work with relatively simple diagrams and since this web page is designed specifically to aid Fordham Prep chemistry students, it will focus strictly on the material required for this course. Once again, one must use an element's electron configuration to determine its outer electrons.