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Multiple Choice
Draw the Lewis Dot Structure for CO2 compound.
A
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D
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the total number of valence electrons in CO2. Carbon (C) has 4 valence electrons, and each oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons. Therefore, CO2 has a total of 4 + 6 + 6 = 16 valence electrons.
Determine the central atom. Carbon is typically the central atom because it can form multiple bonds and is less electronegative than oxygen.
Arrange the atoms with carbon in the center and oxygen atoms on either side. Connect each oxygen to the carbon with a single bond initially.
Distribute the remaining valence electrons to satisfy the octet rule. Start by placing lone pairs on the oxygen atoms to complete their octets. Each oxygen should have 8 electrons around it, including the shared electrons in bonds.
Adjust the bonds to ensure all atoms have complete octets. If necessary, convert lone pairs on oxygen into double bonds with carbon to ensure carbon also has an octet. This will result in two double bonds between carbon and each oxygen atom.