Read the Review Skills section. If there is any skill mentioned that you have not yet mastered, review the material on that topic before reading the present chapter.

 Read the chapter quickly before the lecture that describes it.

 Attend class meetings, take notes, and participate in class discussions.

 Work the Chapter Exercises, perhaps using the Chapter Examples as guides.

 Study the Chapter Glossary.

 Study all of the Chapter 12 Objectives. You might want to write a description of how you will meet each objective. (Although it is best to master all of the objectives, the following objectives are especially important because they pertain to skills that you will need while studying other chapters of this text: 7 and 9.)

 Reread the Study Sheets called Sample Study Sheet 12.1: Drawing Lewis Structures from Formulas and Sample Study Sheet 12.2: Predicting Molecular Geometry and decide whether you will use them or some variation on them to complete the tasks they describe.

 Memorize the following. Be sure to check with your instructor to determine how much you are expected to know of the following.

The usual numbers of covalent bonds and lone pairs for the nonmetallic elements.

C - 4 bonds and no lone pairs

N, P - 3 bonds and 1 lone pair

O, S, Se - 2 bonds and 2 lone pairs

F, Cl, Br, I - 1 bond and 3 lone pairs

H - 1 bond and no lone pairs

Although it’s not absolutely necessary, it will help you to draw Lewis structures to know the expanded list of bonding patterns listed on Table 12.1 in the text.

Know the information about molecular geometry found on Table 12.3.

 To get a review of the most important topics in the chapter, fill in the blanks in the Key Ideas section.

 Work all of the selected problems at the end of the chapter, and check your answers with the solutions provided in this chapter of the study guide.

 Ask for help if you need it.