Final answer:
The Lewis structure for formaldehyde (CH₂O) features a central carbon atom double bonded to oxygen and single bonded to two hydrogens, with oxygen also having two lone pairs of electrons. Hence, option C is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves drawing the Lewis structure for formaldehyde, which is a chemical compound with the formula CH₂O. In its Lewis structure, the carbon (C) atom is the central atom connected to two hydrogen (H) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom. The carbon atom forms a double bond with the oxygen atom, and single bonds with each of the hydrogen atoms. Additionally, the oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons. The correct Lewis structure can be represented as:
H
:O:
H-C-H
|
H
This structure shows that carbon has four bonding pairs (consisting of two single bonds with hydrogen and one double bond with oxygen), giving it a complete octet. The oxygen atom also has a complete octet, with two bonding pairs (as part of the double bond with carbon) and two lone pairs. The molecular shape around the carbon atom is trigonal planar due to the arrangement of three electron groups (the double bond counts as one group), adhering to the VSEPR theory.
Hence, option C is correct answer.