Question

chemical equations quick check
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)
○ c=o-o
○ o=c-o
○ c-o-o
○ o=c=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 to complete its octet. In \(CO_2\), carbon forms double bonds with two oxygen atoms. Each double bond (\(=\)) shares 2 pairs of electrons. This way, carbon shares 4 electrons (2 pairs in each double bond) and each oxygen shares 2 electrons (1 pair in each double bond), satisfying the octet rule for all atoms.

Answer:

O=C=O