Which particle diagram represents a sample containing the compound #CO_2#? How do you determine this?

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1 Answer
anor277
Dec 30, 2016

Well, for a start the diagram represents a gas, so (4) is a non-starter..........

Explanation:

(4) is eliminated immediately. Why? Which of (1), (2), and (3) best represents #CO_2#, or #O=C=O#, which of course is a better representation of the molecule?

I think (I) is the clear choice. (2) might represent a homonuclear, diatomic molecule such as #N_2# or #O_2#. And (3) might represent #NO# or #CO#. Do you agree with these assignments?

Given the representations in the diagrams, how would you represent the (bent) molecules #NO_2# or #SO_2#?

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