Question

In a Lewis diagram for carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), which atom or atoms is inside, or central?
Responses

neither, carbon and chlorine are both outside
neither, carbon and chlorine are both outside

carbon

carbon

neither, carbon and chlorine are both inside
neither, carbon and chlorine are both inside

chlorine

Answer 1

carbon

Carbon is the central atom — it forms the four single bonds to the terminal Cl atoms. Chlorines are terminal, each with three lone pairs to complete their octet.