Question

Compare the shape and e-dot structure of H₂O and CO₂. They both have 1 central atom with 2 other atoms around it, but they do not look the same. Why not?
A) The central atom of H₂O has one single bond and one lone pair, while the central atom of CO₂ two double bonds and no lone pairs.
B) The central atom of H₂O has no lone pairs, while the central atom of CO₂ has two lone pairs that cause repulsion.
C) The central atom of H₂O has two lone pairs that cause repulsion, while the central atom of CO₂ has no lone pairs.
D) The central atom of H₂O has two single bonds and non lone pairs, while the central atom of CO₂ has two double bonds and no lone pairs.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Both water and carbon dioxide have 2 bonding domains (with the 2 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms respectively)

However, water is a polar molecule as the central oxygen atom has 2 pairs of lone electrons, which allows it to form hydrogen bonding with other water molecules.

Carbon dioxide on the other hand is non-polar because it has no lone pairs on the central carbon atom, allowing its molecular geometry to be linear.

Hence the answer is Option C.