Question

1) Calculate the number of valence electrons in methylene chloride, CH2Cl•

Answer 1

To calculate the number of valence electrons in methylene chloride (CH2Cl•), we need to first identify the number of valence electrons contributed by each atom in the molecule.

1. Carbon (C): Carbon is in Group 14 of the periodic table and has 4 valence electrons.
2. Hydrogen (H): Hydrogen is in Group 1 and has 1 valence electron. Since there are 2 hydrogen atoms, the total number of valence electrons from hydrogen is \(2 \times 1 = 2\).
3. Chlorine (Cl): Chlorine is in Group 17 and has 7 valence electrons.
4. Radical (•): The notation CH2Cl• indicates that there is an unpaired electron, which contributes 1 additional electron.

Now, we add up all the valence electrons:

\[
\text{Carbon: } 4
\]
\[
\text{Hydrogen: } 2
\]
\[
\text{Chlorine: } 7
\]
\[
\text{Radical: } 1
\]

So, the total number of valence electrons in CH2Cl• is:

\[
4 + 2 + 7 + 1 = 14
\]

Therefore, methylene chloride, CH2Cl•, has **14 valence electrons**.