Question

use your knowledge of valence electrons and how they affect bonds to figure out how carbon (group 14) and oxygen (group 16) would be attached to one another. in carbon dioxide (co₂), how is the compound structured? (use \-\ to represent a single bond and \=\ to represent a double bond.) (1 point)
o=c-o
o=c=o
c-o-o
c=o-o

Explanation:

Carbon (Group 14) has 4 valence electrons and needs 4 more to complete its octet. Oxygen (Group 16) has 6 valence electrons and needs 2 more. In \(CO_2\), carbon forms double bonds with two oxygen atoms. Each double bond (\(=\)) shares 2 pairs of electrons. This way, carbon's 4 valence electrons are used (2 in each double bond), and each oxygen gets 2 more electrons (from the double bond) to complete their octets.

Answer:

B. \(O = C = O\)