Lewis Dot Symbols and Lewis Structures

Lewis symbols use dots to visually represent the valence electrons of an atom.

The Lewis symbol for an atom depicts its valence electrons as dots around the symbol for the element.

In covalent molecules, atoms share pairs of electrons in order to achieve a full valence level.

The Lewis structure of an ion is placed in brackets and its charge is written as a superscript outside of the brackets, on the upper right.