A stepbystep explanation of how to draw the Nitrate Ion Lewis Dot Structure.

For the Nitrate Ion Lewis structure, calculate the total number of valence electrons for the Nitrate Ion molecule (Nitrate Ion has 18 valence electrons). After determining how many valence electrons there are in Nitrate Ion, place them around the central atom to complete the octets. Be sure to use the number of available valence electrons you found earlier.

You'll need to a double bond between the Nitrogen and one of the Oxygen atoms in order to fill the octets of each atom in the Nitrate Ion Lewis structure and still only use the 18 valence electrons available.

Steps to Write Lewis Structure for compounds like
1. Find the total valence electrons for the molecule.
2. Put the least electronegative atom in the center. Note: Hydrogen (H) always goes outside.
3. Put two electrons between atoms to form a chemical bond.
4. Complete octets on outside atoms.
5. If central atom does not have an octet, move electrons from outer atoms to form double or triple bonds.

Lewis Resources
• Lewis Structures Made Simple:    • How to Draw Lewis Structures: Five Ea...  
• More practice:    • Lewis Dot Structure Practice Problems...  
• Counting Valence Electrons:    • Finding the Number of Valence Electro...  
• Calculating Formal Charge:    • Formal Charges: Calculating Formal Ch...  
• Exceptions to the Octet Rule:    • Exceptions to the Octet Rule  

Lewis Structures, also called Electron Dot Structures, are important to learn because they help us understand how atoms and electrons are arranged in a molecule, such as Nitrate Ion. This can help us determine the molecular geometry, how the molecule might react with other molecules, and some of the physical properties of the molecule (like boiling point and surface tension).

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