Question #2bb07

1 Answer
Oct 16, 2015

CO2 molecule has a linear shape .

Explanation:

In order to predict the shape and molecular geometry of molecules, we will need to draw their Lewis structures.

The Lewis structure for carbon dioxide is represented in this figure:
enter image source here
As represented in the figure above, the shape of the molecule CO2 is Linear.

Let us consider another example: NO2.

The Lewis structure of nitrogen dioxide is represented in this figure:
enter image source here
As represented in the figure above, the shape of the molecule NO2 is Bent.

The lone pair on nitrogen will push the two NO bonds away of it, because of the repulsion of their electrons.