Draw electron dot structure showing covalent bonding in a molecule of carbon dioxide CO2

  The electron dot structure of carbon dioxide showing covalent bonding in a molecule of carbon dioxide,CO2, is given below:

In CO2 electron dot structure of CO2,we have four bonds which are covalent bonds.Actually,we get two sigma bonds and two pi bonds.

Explanation:

CO2  Electron Dot Structure Setup Step-01:
           

    

To draw the CO2 electron dot structure , we have to find out the CO2 valence electrons first.We express valence electrons as dots in CO2 lewis dot structure.

To get the valence electrons of carbon,we need to look at the electronic configuration of carbon.



C(6)=1s²2s²2p²



The highest value of principal quantum number here is n=2.


The highest value of principal quantum number ,n , indicates the valence shell and we know the electrons in valence shell is called valence shell.




The nunber of valence electrons in carbon is 4.





Now,to draw the lewis dot structure of carbon,we need to imagine a square around carbon.

                  口




We know a square has four sides.At first,we have to place one valence electrons as dot to every side of that square before pairing up.


Again, we have to find out the valence electrons of oxygen.

To get the valence electrons of oxygen,we need to look at the electronic configuration of oxygen.


O(8)=1s²2s²2p⁴

The highest value of principal quantum number here is n=2.

The highest value of principal quantum number ,n , indicates the valence shell and we know the electrons in valence shell is called valence shell.




The nunber of valence electrons in oxygen is 6.


Now to draw the lewis dot structure of oxygen,we need to imagine a square around oxygen.

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We know a square has four sides.At first,we have to place one valence electrons as dot to every side of that square before pairing up.

   Step-02:CO2 Valence Electrons

Now we have to count total number of CO2 valence electrons .

C =4

2×O=6×2=12

So,the total number of CO2 valence electrons is sixteen ( 4+12=16).

              CO2 Lewis Structure Setup Step-03:



Now we have to determine the central atom in CO2.The central atom is that kind of atom that is single or that has lower electronegativity.In case of CO2,Carbon,C, is the central atom and oxygen ,O, is the outer atom.




              CO2 Lewis

 Structure Setup Step-04:

Now we need to connect the outer atoms with  the central atoms using single bond or line(-).Every line represent two 【●●】dots or two valence electrons.

In the above structure,we have used 4 valence electrons.So,we have 16-4=12 left.

Now we will use these 12 valence electrons to satisfy the outer atoms for completing its octet first.

Already we have used all the left electrons.The outer atom oxygen has gained octet but the central atom does not gain octet.

Now we need to satisfy the central atom for its octet by using the lone pair from outer atoms.So, from the above structure we will get three probable structures.

   

    CO2 Lewis Structure and Formal Charge  Step-05:

The above three structures are the probable CO2 Lewis  structures .To find the best CO2 Lewis  structure from these three,we have to find out CO2 formal charge by applying the formula for formal charge.

Formula-1:

Formula-2:

Formula-3:

Formal charge =Valence electrons - Dots - Lines

Now we need to calculate the formal charge for each atom of the above three structures.

Formula-4:

Formal charge =Valence electrons - Unshared Electrons - 1/2(Shared Electrons)

Structure【A】Formal Charge

In this CO2 Lewis structure【A】,the formal charge of carbon is zero and the formal charge of both oxygen is also zero【Formula-4】.

Structure【B】Formal Charge

Structure 【C】 Formal Charge

A                                                      B                                     C

So,the best CO2 electron dot structure  will be the one where most atoms will have zero formal charge.Here,the first one is the best CO2 lewis  structure .

CO2 Best Lewis Structure

CO2 Lewis  Structure

 

Summary: 

If you want to draw the Lewis structure of CO2(carbon dioxide),you need to count the total valence electrons for CO2.Then you need to select the central atom.After that ,you need to connect the central atom with outer atoms.Here you need to remember that you need to satisfy the octet of outer atom first.At last,you need to check the formal charge of each atom such a way that you get the most stable Lewis structure of CO2.




Continue

Some Questions and Answers

●Is CO2 polar or nonpolar?

Answer:

CO2 is a nonpolar molecule.Again,Carbon dioxide is nonpolar because of its linear geometry which makes the net molecular dipole moment zero.

Explanation:

Here are the few steps that you help you to determine that carbon dioxide,CO2, is a non polar molecule.

           Step-1:

Draw the Lewis structure of CO2.

             Step-2:

After drawing Lewis structure of CO2,now you need to consider the electronegativity difference between atoms.

Here oxygen is more electronegative than carbon.So,every  carbon-oxygen bond is polar.

               Step-3:

Now consider bond dipole moment.

As both carbon and oxygen bonds are polar,every bond has a dipole moment.

             Step-4:

Now consider the geometry of CO2 molecule by applying VSEPR theory.

According to VSEPR theory,we get linear geometry of CO2.

                 Step-5:

Now consider the net molecular dipole moment.

As the shape of CO2 is linear,one bond dipole moment cancel another bond's dipole moment.Thus,we get zero value for the net molecular dipole moment .As the value of net molecular dipole moment is zero,we can say that CO2 is non polar.

●How many valence

electrons does CO2 have?

Answer:

CO2 has sixteen (16) valence electrons.Four valence electrons from one carbon atom and twelve valence electrons from two oxygen atoms as we know that each oxygen carries six valence electrons.Thus,the number of CO2 valence electrons is 16.

●What is the total number of outer (valence) electrons in carbon dioxide, CO2 ?

Answer:

The total number of outer(valence)electrons in carbon dioxide,CO2, is 16.

■In the best lewis structure for co2, what is the formal charge on the c atom?

Answer:

In the best Lewis structure for CO2,  the formal charge on the c atom is zero.Besides,In the best Lewis structure for CO2,the formal charge of both oxygens is also zero.

●Does CO2 follow the octet rule?

Answer:

Yes,in the best Lewis structure of CO2,the carbon atom,C,and O atom in CO2 follow or obey the octet rule.

In explanation,I will say that carbon is a nonmetal and oxygen is also a nonmetal.So,both atoms in CO2 will share electrons in such a way that both atoms can achieve eight valence electrons in their valence shells and thus can gain more stability.

In CO2 ,each oxygen has shared two electrons with C and C has shared four electrons with two oxygen atoms.

By sharing ,all atoms -C,O and O - in CO2, has achieved the eight valence electrons in their most occupied energy levels,so CO2 follows or obeys the octet rule .