Answer to Question #93122 in Inorganic Chemistry for Nduduzo

Question

How many numbers of bonding and non-bonding elecron pairs in CO2?
A. 4,2
B. 2,4
C. 2,2
D. 4,4

Answer 1

Carbon atom with electron configuration $2s^22p^2$ can be involved in a formation of 4 (four) bonds.

Oxygen atom with electron configuration $2s^22p^4$ can be involved in a formation of 2 (two) bonds, moreover every oxygen atom will remain two lone pairs of non-bonding electrons.

Thus, molecule of CO₂ has 4 pairs of bonding and 4 pairs of non-bonding electrons.

Right answer is D.