Chemical Bonding: SiH₄ Lewis Structure

Drawing the Lewis Structure for SiH₄

Viewing Notes:

• SiH₄ is similar to SiF₄.
• Remember that Hydrogen (H) only needs two valence electrons.
• The Lewis structure for SiH₄ has 8 valence electrons available to work with.

Transcript: This is Dr. B. Let's do the Lewis structure for SiH4. On the periodic table, Silicon, group 4, 4 valence electrons; Hydrogen, group 1, 1 valence electron, but we have four of them. So 4 plus 4: 8 total valence electrons. Put the Si in the center, Hydrogens always go on the outside. We have four of them. So let's put two electrons between each of the atoms there to give it a chemical bond. Two, 4, 6, 8. we've used all eight valence electrons. Hydrogen only needs two electrons to have a full outer shell, so each of the Hydrogens is fine; it has a full outer shell. And the Si needs eight, which it has.

So that is the SiH4 Lewis structure. This is Dr. B., and thanks for watching.