Question

which of the lewis structures in the image is correct?

Explanation:

• For Lewis structures, carbon (C) has 4 valence electrons. In option A, carbon has only 3 valence electrons shown (two single bonds and one unpaired electron), which is incorrect.
• Option B also has carbon with an incorrect number of valence electrons (two single bonds and two unpaired electrons instead of four).
• Nitrogen (N) has 5 valence electrons. In option C, nitrogen has only 4 valence electrons shown (three single bonds and one lone pair is incorrect as three single bonds would account for 3 electrons and a lone pair is 2, total 5 but the structure is written wrong).
• Option D shows nitrogen with 5 valence electrons correctly (three single bonds to H and one lone pair of electrons).

Answer:

D.