Question

A molecule of carbon dioxide (co2) is formed 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

Carbon must share 4 electrons total with the the two Oxygen atoms in order to fill it's outer electron shell, and each Oxygen atom must share 2 electrons with the Carbon atom to fill their electron shells. Therefore, in total 8 electrons must be shared (4+2+2=8)