Which molecule has a linear shape?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A.
- Step 1: According to VSEPR theory, molecular geometry is dictated by the spatial arrangement of electron domains (bonding pairs and lone pairs) surrounding the central atom.
- Step 2: In carbon dioxide (), the central carbon forms two double bonds with two oxygen atoms and carries zero non-bonding electron pairs ( hybridization, steric number 2).
- Step 3: The two linear double bond domains orient at to each other, giving an unbent linear geometry.
Answer
.
Why not the others: has a central sulfur atom with two bonding pairs and one lone pair, producing a bent () angular shape; has three bonding pairs and one lone pair, yielding a trigonal pyramidal shape; has two bonding pairs and two lone pairs, producing a bent () geometry.
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