Question

s fo"rmed when one atom of carbon (atomic number 6) is covalently" bonded with two atoms of oxygen (atomic number 8). What is the total number of electrons that must be shared between the carbon atom and the oxygen atoms in order to complete the outer electron shell of all three atoms?

Answer 1

Answer: The total number of electrons that must be shared between carbon and oxygen atoms are 8.

Explanation:

A covalent compound is formed when sharing of electrons takes place between the atoms forming a compound.

Carbon is the 6th element of the periodic table having electronic configuration of $1s^22s^22p^2$

This element requires 4 electrons to complete its shell.

Oxygen is the 8th element of the periodic table having electronic configuration of $1s^22s^22p^4$

This element requires 2 electrons to complete its shell.

So, in order to complete the octet of both the elements, 2 oxygen atoms are required for 1 carbon atom.

Hence, the total number of electrons that must be shared between carbon and oxygen atoms are 8.