For a lab experiment we have to draw the lewis structures of hydrides.

1) Carbon

It asks for the formula of hydride.
Total # of valence electrons and the lewis structure.

Total electrons would be four. I am not sure what the formula would be or how to find that and and the lewis structure for C would have four dots around it but im not sure if this is right.

For carbon hydride, better known as CH4 or methane. has this for the Lewis structure.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=CH4+lewis+structure&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=ZzZ&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=800&bih=406&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsfd&tbnid=kZ7ybuPchBgFNM:&imgrefurl=http://www.chemteam.info/Bonding/Lab-ModelBuilding/Lab-ModelBuilding-1.html&docid=EVADhDBoljO1jM&imgurl=http://www.chemteam.info/Bonding/Lab-ModelBuilding/LewisStructure-CH4.GIF&w=106&h=110&ei=9Y3ETsk6ruOxApTA2ccL&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=431&vpy=187&dur=1794&hovh=88&hovw=84&tx=105&ty=64&sig=105695144044976003133&page=1&tbnh=79&tbnw=76&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0

To determine the formula of a hydride, we need to know the valency of carbon. Carbon typically has a valency of 4, meaning it can form four bonds with other atoms. In the case of a hydride, it will form a bond with hydrogen.

The formula for the hydride of carbon is CH4, where "CH" represents one carbon atom bonded to one hydrogen atom. To draw the Lewis structure of CH4, you follow these steps:

1. Determine the total number of valence electrons in CH4. Carbon has 4 valence electrons, and each hydrogen atom has 1 valence electron. Thus, the total is 4 + (1 x 4) = 8 valence electrons.

2. Place the carbon atom in the center and arrange the four hydrogen atoms around it.

H H
\ /
C
|
H

3. Complete the octet (eight electrons) for each atom by distributing the remaining valence electrons. In this case, there are four remaining electrons.

H H
\ /
H - C - H
|
H

4. Count the number of electrons used. In this structure, there are 8 electrons used, which is equal to the total number of valence electrons we started with.

The Lewis structure for CH4 shows a carbon atom in the center with four dots around it, representing the four hydrogen atoms bonded to it.

I hope this helps you understand how to determine the formula and draw the Lewis structure of the hydride of carbon! Let me know if you have any more questions.