electron dot notation

Electron dot notation, also known as Lewis dot structures, is a way to represent the valence electrons (outermost electrons) of an atom using dots around its chemical symbol. Each dot signifies one valence electron, helping to visualize how atoms bond and interact in molecules. In this notation, dots are placed in pairs or singly around the symbol, reflecting the atom's ability to share, lose, or gain electrons. This representation is useful in understanding chemical bonds, as it highlights how atoms connect to form compounds, making it an essential tool in chemistry and molecular studies.