Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Which of the following is the correct Lewis structure for carbon dioxide?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct Lewis structure for carbon dioxide has a central carbon atom double bonded to two oxygen atoms. Each oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons. Choice A has only two electrons on the oxygen atom, which is incorrect. Choice B has a triple bond between carbon and oxygen, which is also incorrect. Choice D has a single bond between carbon and oxygen, which is incorrect. Only choice C correctly represents carbon dioxide according to the rules of Lewis structures.

Carbon Dioxide Is a Greenhouse Gas