Question

both carbon dioxide and water have atoms bonded to the central atom. carbon dioxide (co₂) is a molecule, while water (h₂o) is a molecule because water has on the central atom. drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Explanation:

• For the first blank: In \(CO_2\), \(C\) is the central atom bonded to \(2\) \(O\) atoms; in \(H_2O\), \(O\) is the central atom bonded to \(2\) \(H\) atoms.
• For the second blank: \(CO_2\) has a linear shape and the bond dipoles cancel out (symmetrical distribution of electron - density around the central atom), so it is non - polar.
• For the third blank: \(H_2O\) has a bent shape. Due to the presence of lone pairs on the central \(O\) atom, the electron - density is not symmetrically distributed, making it polar.
• For the fourth blank: In \(H_2O\), the central \(O\) atom has \(2\) lone pairs of electrons which affect the molecular geometry and polarity.

Answer:

1. two
2. non - polar
3. polar
4. lone pairs