Question

Which lewis structures represent a molecule that would assume a linear geometry? check all that apply.

Answer 1

CO2, C2H2, BeF2, XeF2, etc all these molecules have linear geometry.

Answer 2

Explanation:

There are a few examples of different type of molecules that have a linear geometry:

1) Diatomic molecules

Diatomic molecules always have a linear geomerty given that its their only possiblility.

Some examples are: Oxygen (O2), Nitrogen (N2), Fluorine (F2), Choridic acid (HCl).

2) Triatomic molecules with no lone pair electrons

In this case, the absence of lone pair electrons keeps a linear geometry in molecules such a carbon dioxide (CO2).

If the molecule would have this electrons the repulsion generated between them and the electrons from the atomic bonds would create an angular geometry.