which is the correct molecular structure for carbon dioxide?
which is the correct molecular structure for carbon dioxide?
Answer
Brief Explanations:
Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) has a central carbon atom double - bonded to two oxygen atoms. The correct Lewis structure shows carbon in the middle with two double bonds to oxygen atoms and lone pairs on the oxygen atoms. The first option represents this correctly. The second option is a carbon - oxygen triple bond which is not the structure of $CO_2$. The third option has an incorrect arrangement of atoms and bonds. The fourth option represents sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) not carbon dioxide.
Answer:
The first option (O=C=O with lone pairs on oxygen atoms).