Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the bond angle in a molecule of carbon dioxide (CO_2)?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Bond Angles
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What is the bond angle between the carbon-oxygen bonds in the carbon dioxide (CO_2) molecule?
A
90^ext{o}
B
109.5^ext{o}
C
180^ext{o}
D
120^ext{o}
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the molecular geometry of the CO\_2 molecule by considering the number of electron groups around the central atom (carbon). Carbon is bonded to two oxygen atoms and has no lone pairs, so there are two regions of electron density.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to determine the shape. Two regions of electron density around the central atom arrange themselves linearly to minimize repulsion.
Recall that a linear molecular geometry corresponds to a bond angle of 180\^\{\circ\}.
Confirm that the absence of lone pairs on the central atom means the bond angle is not distorted from the ideal linear angle.
Conclude that the bond angle between the carbon-oxygen bonds in CO\_2 is 180\^\{\circ\}.
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