Open Question
The central atom in ________ violates the octet rule.
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Octet Rule
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
How many shared electrons are around the oxygen atom?
A
4
B
2
C
6
D
10
E
8
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the molecule in the image. The image shows the Lewis structure of formaldehyde (CH₂O), where the central carbon atom is double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
Understand the concept of shared electrons. Shared electrons are those involved in covalent bonds between atoms. In a double bond, there are two pairs of shared electrons.
Examine the Lewis structure. The oxygen atom is double-bonded to the carbon atom, which means there are two pairs of electrons shared between the oxygen and carbon.
Count the shared electrons around the oxygen atom. Since each pair of electrons in a covalent bond represents two electrons, a double bond consists of four shared electrons.
Conclude the number of shared electrons around the oxygen atom. Based on the double bond between oxygen and carbon, there are four shared electrons around the oxygen atom.
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