Electron dot structure of methane class 10

Methane is a simple organic compound found in the natural gas. You will learn the electron dot structure of methane.

We will discuss the electron dot structure of methane through the following points

1.    Formula of methane

2.    Electronic configuration of carbon

3.    Electronic configuration of hydrogen

4.    Find the central atom in the compound

5.    Draw the structural formula of methane

6.   Electron dot structure of methane

 

Formula of methane

`CH_4`

Electronic configuration of carbon

`1s^2 2s^2 2p^2`

Carbon has four valence electrons in the outermost shell.

Electronic configuration of hydrogen

`1s^1`

Hydrogen has one valence electron in the outermost shell.

Find the central atom in the compound

There is only one carbon atom attached with four hydrogen atoms so carbon is the central atom of the compound.

 

Structural formula of methane

Carbon atom requires four electrons to complete its octet and each hydrogen atom requires one electron to complete its octet.

Carbon shares its four valence electrons with four hydrogen atoms and each hydrogen atom shares one valence electron with a carbon atom.

A single bond (covalent bond) is present between carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Electron dot structure of methane

Watch the video to understand the electron dot structure of methane

Related Topics 

1. Electron dot structure examples