-ionic species are generally shown as their ions e.g.

Mg²⁺ or SO₄²⁻ unless covalent bonding is present and

additional details are needed
-covalently-bonded species – both neutral molecules and polyatomic ions – can be shown in different ways (listed
as presented chronologically in CHEM 201):

 Lewis structures: 2D format, shows each two-electron bond as a single line; lone pairs or unpaired
electrons are drawn as dots, and non-zero formal charges (F.C. = # valence electrons − non-
bonding electrons − ½ bonding electrons) are shown near the atoms to which they correspond
*comments: this is the simplest model but extremely flexible; it demonstrates resonance
either in individual resonance structures or through a resonance hybrid, it is the basis for VSEPR and VBT
structures, it provides no 3D information, and it assumes all electrons – except unpaired electrons – are paired and
form bonds that stabilize the structure