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A dot and cross diagram can model the bonding in a simple molecule:

• the outer shell of each atom is drawn as a circle
• circles overlap where there is a covalent bond
• electrons from one atom are drawn as dots, and electrons from another atom as crosses

Example 1 - Hydrogen chloride

1. Write down the formula HCl. This explains which atoms you need to draw (1 × H and 1 × Cl).
2. Sketch a simple displayed formula to work out the order in which the atoms are connected (H-Cl).
3. Work out how many electrons are in the outer shell of each atom (H has 1 and Cl has 7).
4. Draw circles to represent the electron shell of each atom overlapping the circles where the atoms are bonded.
5. Add dots to represent the outer electrons of one type of atom (H).
6. Add crosses to represent the outer electrons of the other type of atom (Cl).
7. Make sure the electrons are always in pairs. A bond is a dot and a cross. Other pairs should be two dots or two crosses.

Example 2 - Water

1. The formula is H₂O so the dot and cross diagram includes two H atoms and one O atom.
2. H has 1 outer electron. O has 6 outer electrons.
3. The H circles must each overlap the O circle.

Double and triple bonds

Some molecules contain a double bond, which consists of two shared pairs of electrons. For example, oxygen molecules consist of two oxygen atoms joined together. Oxygen atoms can form two covalent bonds, so to link the two oxygen atoms together, a double bond forms.

Nitrogen molecules consist of two nitrogen atoms joined together. Nitrogen atoms can form three covalent bonds, so a triple bond forms between them. The structure of nitrogen is N≡N, showing that it has three shared pairs of electrons.