Question

chemistry 1 (lp - 5061 - ck - 01) / molecular modeling and lewis structures evaluation
molecular modeling and lewis structures evaluation
carbon dioxide has a ______ geometric structure.
○ trigonal planar
○ tetrahedral
○ linear
○ octahedral

Explanation:

In carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), the central carbon atom is double - bonded to two oxygen atoms. There are no lone pairs on the central carbon. According to VSEPR (Valence - Shell Electron - Pair Repulsion) theory, the electron - pair geometry and the molecular geometry are linear to minimize repulsion, with bond angles of 180 degrees.

Answer:

C. linear