What is the bond angle in carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
Question
What is the bond angle in carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
Solution 1
The bond angle in carbon dioxide (CO2) is 180 degrees. Here's why:
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Carbon dioxide (CO2) has a linear molecular geometry because the central carbon atom is surrounded by two double-bonded oxygen atoms.
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According to the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, the electron pairs around an atom spread out as much as possible to minimize repulsion.
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In CO2, there are two regions of electron density (the two double bonds) around the central carbon atom. These regions spread out in a way that they are as far apart as possible, which is 180 degrees from each other.
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Therefore, the bond angle in CO2 is 180 degrees.
Solution 2
The bond angle in carbon dioxide (CO2) is 180 degrees. Here's why:
-
Carbon dioxide (CO2) has a linear molecular geometry because the central carbon atom is surrounded by two double-bonded oxygen atoms.
-
According to the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, the electron pairs around an atom spread out as much as possible to minimize repulsion.
-
In CO2, there are two regions of electron density (the two double bonds) around the central carbon atom. These regions spread out in a way that they are as far apart as possible, which is 180 degrees from each other.
-
Therefore, the bond angle in CO2 is 180 degrees.
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