Xe Lewis Structure & Characteristics: 15 Complete Facts

Xe or xenon is a noble gas having molecular weight 131.293 u which belongs to the group 18 of periodic table. Let us discuss the lewis structure and some relevant topics on xenon.

Xe possesses a spherical shape due to having uniform electron density around it. It is one of the most soluble noble gases in water. This is considered as an inert gas due to having completely filled 5s and 5p orbitals. Xenon isotopes are highly radioactive and undergoes spontaneous fission.

Let us find a clear concept on lewis structure, hybridization, formal charge, valence electrons, solubility and many more topics on Xe in detail.

How to draw Xe lewis structure?

Lewis structure gives a clear idea about the nonbonding electrons of any atom in a molecule which are shown as electron dots. Let us discuss on it.

Xenon lewis structure contains 54 protons and 70 neutrons. These protons and neutrons form the positively charged nucleus of this atom. 54 electrons are revolving around the nucleus which makes the atom an electrical neutral species.

These electrons have started feeling the orbital according to the Pauli’s exclusion principle, Hund’s multiplicity rule and Aufbau principle. Lewis structure cannot be drawn for any atom like Xe because lewis structure concept is only applicable for any molecule having bonding nonbonding electrons.

xe lewis structure
Xenon structure.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Xe Lewis Structure Resonance

Resonance is the delocalization of electron cloud through all over the molecule. Let us talk about this.

The lewis structure resonance of Xe is not possible as it is a unimolecular gaseous compound. Thus, electron cloud of Xe cannot be delocalized over any other atom. It is localized to only Xe atom because it is not connected to any other atom.  

If Xe is attached to any other atom then it can participate in resonance and form different resonance structures. Then it can share its electron pairs with neighboring atoms.

Xe Lewis Structure Shape

Lewis structure shape is determined for any molecule to determine the three-dimensional molecular arrangement of the constituent atoms. Let us explore it.

The lewis structure shape of Xe like any atom is spherical due to having uniform electron density. The crystal shape of Xe is face-centered cubic. It presents as a single atom. Therefore, three-dimensional rearrangement of atoms cannot be determined for Xe atom.

Shape can be determined for any molecule having minimum two atoms like XeF2 (linear), XeF4 (square planar). These two are one of the most familiar compounds of xenon.

Xe Lewis Structure Formal Charge

Formal charge, known as fake charge, is calculated for the individual atom in a covalently bonded molecule. Let us discuss about it in detail.

The formal charge of xenon is considered to be zero as it is a unimolecular atom having no bond connectivity. The formal charge calculation of Xenon is = {Total number of valance electrons – number of electrons remain as nonbonded – (number of electrons involved in bond formation/2)}.

Formal charge can differentiate the most stable lewis structure. As formal charge cannon be calculated for Xe (having no nonbonding as well as bonding electrons, therefore it will be presented in only one structure.

Xe Lewis Structure Angle

Lewis structure angle is the angle between two covalent bond and one atom (mainly central atom). Let us give an overview on it.

The lewis structure angle of Xe cannot be determined because it is presented as unimolecular gaseous atom. It is not attached with any other atoms through any covalent bond. Bond angle can only be determined if Xe is attached with any atom. For example, the bond angle of XeF2 is 1800.

Xe Lewis Structure Octet Rule

Octet rule depicts that the main group elements tend to bond in such a way that each of the atom should contain eight electrons in its valence shell. Let us discuss it.

Lewis structure octet rule is satisfied in a different way for Xe. It is itself a noble gas having complete shell electron configuration. Octet rule is applicable only for those molecules having minimum two atoms to check if they resemble with their nearest noble gas’s electron configuration or not.

Xe is considered to be a noble or inert gas as it achieves a complete filled 5s and 5p orbitals and therefore, it has little tendence to react with any other atom. Octet filled up atoms in a molecule always behave like a noble gas and they also show reluctance to participate in any reaction.

Xe Lewis Structure Lone Pairs

Lone pair, a pair of valence electron, which are not shared with other atoms through covalent bond. Let us explain it.

The lewis structure of Xe does not have any lone pair as it is a unimolecular atom. Therefore, the valence electrons in it are regarded as nonbonding electrons in Xe is 6 (5s2 5p6). The formula to calculate the no of nonbonding electrons ={Total number of valance electron – number of bonded electrons}.

The above explanation is applicable for all the noble gas like Xe as well as any single atom. If Xe has bond connectivity with any other atoms then we can calculate the nonbonding electrons (subtracting bonding electrons from valence electrons).

Xe Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are revolving the nucleus from the outer most shell of the atom and become most reactive with respect to inner shell electrons. Let us talk about it.

The number of valence electrons in Xe is 8. The valence shell of Xe is 5s and 5p which contains two and six electrons respectively. It has completely filled 5s and 5p orbitals and behaves as an inert gas.

These noble gases are very much less reactive with comparing to other atoms. Those atoms show high reactivity which have shortage of one or two electrons to complete the valence shell.

Xe Hybridization

Mixing of two atomic orbitals to generate a new hybrid orbital is defined as hybridization. Let us explain it.

The hybridization of Xe is not possible because mixing of atomic orbitals is not possible in a single atom like Xe. Another atomic orbital from any other atom will be required to generate a new hybrid orbital. Therefore, the term “hybridization” is not applicable for Xe.

For example, XeF2 has the atomic orbital of Xe and F for mixing. Therefore, a new hybrid orbital will be generated for XeF2 which is sp.

Is Xe solid or gas?

Solid, liquid or gas is the physical state of any atom which can be determined from their boiling point. Let us find it.

Xe is presented as a gaseous molecule under ambient temperature. It has boiling point -108.10 C which means it can be liquified below the temperature -108.10 C.

How Xe is gas?

Xe is a gaseous compound because the intermolecular attraction between the Xe atoms is very less. Therefore, it cannot be solid or liquid which have strong intermolecular attraction force between them.

Is Xe soluble in water?

Solubility depends upon the nature of the solute as well as the solvent molecules. Let us discuss it.

Xe is soluble in water. The solubility of Xe is one of the most among all of the noble gases. The solubility of He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe are 1.78× 10-9, 1.35 × 10-10, 3.03 × 10-10, 1.25 × 10-9 and 3.29× 10-9 mol. g-1 bar-1 respectively.

Why Xe becomes soluble in water?

Xe becomes soluble in water and the solubility of it is the highest among the noble gases due to increasing the molecular weight. When molecular weight is increasing, van der waals force as well as polarity between the atoms is also increasing.

How Xe is soluble in water?

Xe is soluble in water due to high polarity of it with respect to the other noble gases. Therefore, a positive and negative pole will be generated in Xe atom. Positive pole will be attracted by the positive end of H2O molecule and negative pole of Xe will be attracted by the positive pole of H2O molecule.

Is Xe polar or nonpolar?

Polarity or non-polarity depends upon the presence of polar bond and the arrangement of these polar bonds. Let us explore it.

Xe is definitely a polar compound. It has no permanent dipole moment due to not having any charge separation in Xe atom.

How Xe is nonpolar?

Xe is nonpolar because it has uniform charge distribution around it. Electron cloud of Xe cannot be distorted due to absence of any other atom having bond connectivity with Xe.

Is Xe acid or base?

Acidity or basicity can be explained by the capability of accepting or donating electron pairs. Let us give an overview on it.

Xenon is neither acidic nor basic, it is basically a neutral substance. It has filled 5s and 5p electrons and vacant 5d and 5f orbitals. Therefore, it has the capability of donating or accepting electron pairs. Due to having octet filled up orbitals, Xe does not intent to donate or accept electron pairs.

How Xe is neither acidic nor basic?

Xe is neutral because it behaves as amphoteric substance. It has full filled 5s and 5p orbitals along with vacant 5d and 5f orbital to donate as well as accept electron pairs. But being a noble gas, it does not do that and behaves as an inert substance.

Is Xe electrolyte?

Electrolytes are dissociated into two opposite ions, cation and anion in aqueous solution. Let us explain it.

Xe is not an electrolyte because it cannot be dissociated into two opposite ions. It is an electrically neutral substance having no polarity. Therefore, it cannot generate cation and anion after dissolving in water or any other solvent.

How Xe becomes a nonelectrolyte?

Xe is a non-electrolyte because gaseous substance cannot be ionized into two opposite ions. When they are dissolved in water due to having larger distance between the atoms or molecules Xe cannot be dissociated into ions.

Is Xe salt?

A salt contains positive and negative ion but has no electrical charge. Let us check whether Xe is salt or not.

Xe is not a salt as it is a unimolecular gaseous atom which does not contain any positively or negatively charged ions.

How Xe is not a salt?

Xe is not a salt as it is a gaseous atom. To be a salt the substance should be a molecule which can be dissociated into ions. An atom cannot be a salt as it cannot be dissociated in solvent.

Is Xe ionic or covalent?

Ionic or covalent character can be differentiated depending upon the nature of the bonds formed between the atoms. Let us check it.

Xe is not an ionic or covalent compound. It is presented as unimolecular gaseous atom. Atom can never be ionic or covalent.

How Xe is neither ionic nor a covalent compound?

Xe is neither ionic nor covalent because it is just an atom. If Xe is attached with any other atoms through bonds then it can be commented whether the compound will be ionic or covalent. Because ionic or covalent character can be determined for any molecule not any atom.

Conclusion

Xe is a noble or inert gas, belongs to group 18. It has different uses in various field. It is used as specialized source of light. Xenon lamps are used as high speed electronic flush bulbs.

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