lewis dot thing
 

How do you figure out where to put the electrons when using the lewis dot thing :?

Well the Lewis dot model shows only valence electrons... lets look at Hydrogen... The dot structure would be;

.
H

The dot structure for Oxygen would be;

..
.O:
.

The 2 dots above the O represent the 2 electrons in the 2s
the 2 dots at the right represent an electron pair in a 2p orbital and the one on the bottom and to the left also represent electrons in orbitals in the 2p

**You must remember Hunds rule; electrons pair only after each orbital has been filled with one electron.

lewis dot
 

How do you know where the rings are and how to place the dots?

By rings do you mean energy levels?
In answer to your second question the dots represent the valence electrons... I could explain that more if you don't understand. It is rather a bit difficult to explain without diagrams... :(

I'm sorry if I sound really stupid, I never took this stuff in high school and am having a hard time in algebra too. I'm taking all introductory classes and am in my first semester in collage. :oops: So I understand the rings and the valence electrons. But how do you know where to place the dots and when combining atoms into formulas how do we balance the equations. I know it has something to do with the valence electrons. My proffessor told me he didn't have time to expain it and to go to tutoring. The tutoring center here doesn't have a chemistry tutor. I'm afraid if I don't get this I'll fail the class. How embarassing to fail an introductory class. Finals are in 2 weeks. Please help.