Lewis structures
Chemical Bonding (Basics) · Chemistry
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Draw the Lewis structure of CO₂ step by step. Step 1: Valence electrons: C(4) + 2×O(6) = 16. Step 2: Skeleton O–C–O (C central, least electronegative). Step 3: Complete octets on terminal O: uses 12 e⁻; 4 left. Step 4: Place leftover on C: only 4 e⁻ — octet incomplete. Step 5: Form two double bonds: O=C=O — all octets satisfied, 16 e⁻ used. Check: each atom has 8 (C shares 8), total electrons = 16 ✓.