Chemistry: The Central Science (13th Edition)

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 0321910419
ISBN 13: 978-0-32191-041-7

Chapter 8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding - Exercises - Page 335: 8.33d

Answer

There are 8 valence electrons surrounding each $Cl$.

Work Step by Step

From the diagram, we see that each $Cl$ atom is surrounded by 6 dots (3 nonbonding pairs) and 1 line (1 bonding pair). That means surrounding each $Cl$ atom are 8 electrons, an octet. This is reasonable since the purpose of creating a covalent bond with $Si$ is for $Cl$ to have 8 valence electrons so that it can reach the stability of an octet. Each $Cl$ would share 1 electron with 1 electron from $Si$ so that both can use 2 electrons together.
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