Lewis Structure

H2O Lewis Structure

Water

H2O has oxygen in the center with two single bonds to hydrogen and two lone pairs on oxygen.

Use the diagram and steps below to check the water Lewis structure, H2O Lewis dot structure, valence electrons, formal charges, and molecular shape.

H2O

Water

8 e-
O H H
Valence electrons8
Central atomO
GeometryBent
Bond angleAbout 104.5 deg
PolarityPolar
Electron geometryTetrahedral

VSEPR Geometry

Molecular geometry Bent
Electron geometry Tetrahedral
Bond angle About 104.5 deg
Polarity Polar
Valence electrons 8
Bonding / lone pairs 2 / 2
Central atom O
Electron regions 4

How to Draw H2O: Step-by-Step

1

Parse the molecular formula

H2O -> H, H, O

The molecule contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

2

Count total valence electrons

1 + 1 + 6 = 8

Hydrogen contributes 1 electron each. Oxygen contributes 6.

3

Choose the central atom

Central atom: O

Hydrogen cannot be central, so oxygen goes in the center.

4

Draw the skeleton

H-O-H

Two O-H single bonds use 4 electrons.

5

Place lone pairs

Two lone pairs on O

The remaining 4 electrons stay on oxygen as two lone pairs.

6

Final answer

The H2O Lewis structure has two O-H single bonds and two lone pairs on oxygen.

Formal Charges

AtomFormal charge
O0
H0 each

Common Mistakes

  • Hydrogen never needs an octet. It only needs two electrons.
  • The electron geometry is tetrahedral, but the molecular shape is bent.

FAQ

What is the Lewis structure for H2O?

The H2O Lewis structure has two O-H single bonds and two lone pairs on oxygen.

What is the Lewis dot structure for H2O?

The Lewis dot structure for H2O is the electron-dot drawing shown above. The H2O Lewis structure has two O-H single bonds and two lone pairs on oxygen.

How many valence electrons does H2O have?

H2O has 8 total valence electrons in this Lewis structure.

What is the molecular geometry of H2O?

H2O has bent molecular geometry and tetrahedral electron geometry.

Is H2O polar or nonpolar?

H2O is polar in the Lewis structure shown here. Its molecular geometry is Bent.

References

Method notes are aligned with standard Lewis structure steps: count valence electrons, draw a skeleton, distribute electrons, form multiple bonds when needed, and check formal charges and resonance.

OpenStax Chemistry 2e: Lewis Symbols and Structures and Formal Charges and Resonance.