Dot-and-cross diagrams
What Dot-and-cross diagrams means in Combined Science GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Dot-and-cross diagrams
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Reference: AQA
Show which electrons are shared and can show lone pairs, but do not show the shape of the molecule, the relative sizes of atoms or the three-dimensional arrangement.
Diagrams that show outer-shell electrons only, using dots for one atom and crosses for the other, so shared pairs appear in the overlap region.
Diagrams in which dots are used for one atom and crosses for the other, pairing electrons so that each atom reaches a full outer shell.
Show outer-shell electrons, using different symbols for electrons from different atoms to highlight shared pairs.
A representation that shows the origin of each electron in a shared pair.
Topics that use Dot-and-cross diagrams
- Covalent bonding (AQA GCSE)
- Key ideas (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Giant covalent structures
- Action at a distance
- Activation energy
- Active site
- Adaptation
- Anaerobic respiration
- Ball and stick models
- Carbon and nitrogen cycles
Using Dot-and-cross diagrams in the exam
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