Explain the structure of carbon dioxide.

Answer:

Structure of Carbon Dioxide

The carbon and oxygen atoms in the carbon dioxide molecule form two double bonds. One sigma and one pi bond make up each double bond, therefore a carbon dioxide molecule has two sigma and two pi bonds. If the molecular formula of the molecule is known, electron dot structures or Lewis dot formula can be drawn.

• Carbon dioxide has a linear structure because the binding angle between the carbon and the two oxygen atoms is 180°.
• The carbon atom undergoes sp hybridization, while both oxygen atoms undergo sp2.
• Because oxygen is more electronegative than carbon, the two individual bonds formed are polar, but the molecule as a whole is not polar due to the cancellation of the dipole moment.