Question

Draw all of the Lewis structures of O2 which obey the octet rule and use this Lewis structure or these resonance structures to predict how many covalent bonds connect each oxygen atom in the real structure to the central O atom. Assume that the octet rule is followed for the O atom when you draw your structure(s). Pick the correct statement from the choices below. a) Each oxygen atom is connected to the central O atom with 1.67 covalent bonds. b) Each oxygen atom is connected to the central O atom with 1.33 covalent bonds. c) Each oxygen atom is connected to the central O atom with 2 covalent bonds. d) Each oxygen atom is connected to the central O atom with 1.5 covalent bonds. e) Each oxygen atom is connected to the central O atom with 1.25 covalent bonds.

Answer 1

Each oxygen atom is connected to the central O atom with 2 covalent bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

Oxygen atoms are connected by two covalent bonds in the oxygen molecule from the Lewis structure, we see that the bond order for O2 is 2 (a double bond) this is clearly seen in the image attached. There are no resonance structures for the oxygen molecule since there are no partial bonds in the molecule, only the two covalent bonds present.

This structure of oxygen shown in the image is its only structure, showing the covalent bonds formed and other non bonding electrons present in the molecule. The octet rule is followed in drawing the structure. Each oxygen atom possesses an octet of electrons on its outermost shell.