Question

Draw the Lewis structures for CO2 and CO, and predict the number of σ and π bonds for each molecule.

a) CO₂: 2 σ bonds, 2 π bonds; CO: 1 σ bond, 2 π bonds.
b) CO₂: 3 σ bonds, 1 π bond; CO: 1 σ bond, 2 π bonds.
c) CO₂: 2 σ bonds, 1 π bond; CO: 2 σ bonds, 1 π bond.
d) CO₂: 1 σ bond, 2 π bonds; CO: 2 σ bonds, 1 π bond.

Answer 1

The Lewis structure for CO2 has 2 sigma and 2 pi bonds, while for CO it has 1 sigma and 2 pi bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves drawing Lewis structures for CO2 and CO and predicting bond types. The correct Lewis structure for CO2 is O=C=O, with two double bonds between the carbon (C) and each oxygen (O) atom. Each double bond consists of one sigma (σ) bond and one pi (π) bond, leading to 2 σ bonds and 2 π bonds in total for CO2.

For carbon monoxide (CO), the correct Lewis structure is :C≡O:, with a triple bond between the carbon and oxygen atoms. A triple bond consists of one σ bond and two π bonds, leading to 1 σ bond and 2 π bonds in CO.

Therefore, the correct answer is: a) CO₂: 2 σ bonds, 2 π bonds; CO: 1 σ bond, 2 π bonds.