Question

Show the formation of the following molecule:

Carbon dioxide CO₂

Answer 1

Carbon has the electronic configuration $2,4$ (4 valence electrons) and needs 4 more electrons to complete its octet. Oxygen has the electronic configuration $2,6$ (6 valence electrons) and needs 2 more electrons. Carbon shares two pairs of electrons with each of the two oxygen atoms, forming two double covalent bonds ($\text{O}=\text{C}=\text{O}$), leaving two lone pairs on each oxygen atom.