Lewis structure of HBr

The information on this page is ✔ fact-checked.

The Lewis structure of HBr depicts the molecular arrangement of hydrogen bromide, which consists of one hydrogen atom and one bromine atom. This structure features a single bond between the hydrogen and bromine atoms. The bromine atom, which is the central atom, has three lone pairs of electrons, while the hydrogen atom has no lone pairs. The bromine atom satisfies the octet rule, and the hydrogen atom adheres to the duet rule. There are no formal charges on any of the atoms, indicating that the structure is stable.

Alternative method: HBr Lewis structure

Steps

Draw skeleton

In this step, first calculate the total number of valence electrons. And then, decide the central atom.

• Let’s calculate the total number of valence electrons

We know that… hydrogen is a group 1 element and bromine is a group 17 element. Hence, hydrogen has one valence electron and bromine has seven valence electrons.

Now HBr has one hydrogen atom and one bromine atom.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of hydrogen atom + valence electrons of bromine atom

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 1 + 7 = 8

• Now decide the central atom

We can not assume hydrogen as the central atom, because the central atom is bonded with at least two other atoms. And hydrogen has only one electron in its last shell, so it can not make more than one bond.

Hence, assume that bromine is the central atom.

So now, put hydrogen and bromine next to each other. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of HBr something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of H₂SO₄ (5 steps)

Show chemical bond

Place two electrons between the atoms to show a chemical bond as follows:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of OH^– (4 steps)

Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 8 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used two valence electrons. Hence, six valence electrons are remaining.

Two valence electrons represent one lone pair. So six valence electrons = three lone pairs.

Note that hydrogen is a period 1 element, so it can not keep more than 2 electrons in its last shell. And bromine is a period 4 element, so it can keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell.

Also, make sure that you start marking these lone pairs on outside atoms first. And then, on the central atom.

The outside atom is hydrogen. But hydrogen can not keep more than 2 electrons in its last shell. Hence, don’t mark the lone pairs on hydrogen.

So the central atom (bromine) will get three lone pairs.

Now draw the Lewis structure of HBr something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (bromine), and also on the outside atom. Therefore, the octet rule is satisfied.

After completing the octet, one last thing we need to do is, calculate the formal charge and check the stability of the above structure.

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of SiH₄ (3 steps)

Calculate formal charge and check stability

The following formula is used to calculate the formal charges on atoms:

Formal charge = valence electrons – nonbonding electrons – ½ bonding electrons

Collect the data from the above structure and then, write it down below as follows:

• For hydrogen atom

Valence electrons = 1
Nonbonding electrons = 0
Bonding electrons = 2

Formal charge = 1 – 0 – ½ (2) = 0

• For bromine atom

Valence electrons = 7
Nonbonding electrons = 6
Bonding electrons = 2

Formal charge = 7 – 6 – ½ (2) = 0

Mention the formal charges of atoms on the structure. So the Lewis structure of HBr looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both (hydrogen and bromine) are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of HBr.

And the horizontal line drawn in the above structure represents a pair of bonding valence electrons.

Next: Lewis structure of H₂SO₄

📝 Your feedback matters. Visit our contact page.

Related

• Lewis structure of H₂SO₄
• Lewis structure of OH^–
• Lewis structure of SiH₄
• Lewis structure of N₂H₂
• Lewis structure of NOCl

External video

• HBr Lewis Structure – How to Draw the Dot Structure for HBr – YouTube • Wayne Breslyn

External links

• Hydrogen Bromide (HBr) Lewis Structure – Chemistry School
• HBr Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• Chemical Bonding: HBr Lewis Structure – The Geoexchange
• Draw a Lewis structure for HBr – Homework.Study.com
• How do you determine the Lewis Dot structure for hydrogen bromide (HBr)? – Quora
• HBr LEWIS STRUCTURE – Pinterest
• Here is the Lewis structure for hydrobromic acid – Chegg
• How do you draw the Lewis structure for the molecule HBr? – Socratic
• HBr Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, Hybridization, and MO Diagram – Techiescientist
• How to draw HBr Lewis Structure? – Science Education and Tutorials
• Draw the Lewis structure for a hydrogen bromide (HBr) molecule – Numerade
• What Is The Lewis Dot Structure For HBr? – Blurtit
• What is the Lewis structure of Hydrogen Bromide (HBr)? – Quizlet