Question 1 of 28intermediate🔧 ApplyShort Answer2 marks

What would be the electron dot structure of carbon dioxide which has the formula CO₂?

Correct Answer

The electron dot structure of carbon dioxide (CO₂) shows carbon forming double bonds with two oxygen atoms. Carbon has 4 valence electrons and needs 4 more to complete its octet. Each oxygen atom has 6 valence electrons and needs 2 more electrons. Therefore, carbon shares two electron pairs with each oxygen atom, forming double bonds. The structure can be represented as:

..    ..

:O::C::O: .. ..

In this structure, the carbon atom is bonded to two oxygen atoms through double covalent bonds. Each oxygen shares two electrons with carbon, and carbon shares two electrons with each oxygen. This satisfies the valency of all atoms, with carbon completing its octet and each oxygen also achieving a complete octet configuration.

Exercise: QUESTIONS | Q: 1 | (Page 4)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The textbook context explains that electron dot structures depict only valence shell electrons using dots or crosses. It establishes that carbon has a valency of 4 and shows how double bonds are formed when single bonds do not satisfy the valencies (as demonstrated in the ethene example). Applying these principles to CO₂: carbon needs 4 electrons to complete its octet, while each oxygen needs 2 electrons. This is achieved through double bonds between carbon and each oxygen atom, where two pairs of electrons are shared between them.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Identify valence electrons - Carbon has 4 valence electrons, Oxygen has 6 valence electrons

  2. Step 2: Determine bonding requirements - Carbon needs 4 more electrons, each Oxygen needs 2 more electrons to complete octets

  3. Step 3: Form double bonds - Carbon shares two electron pairs with each oxygen atom, satisfying all valencies

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