Identify the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons in carbon dioxide. a) 2 bonding pairs and 4 lone pair b) 4 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs c) 4 bonding pairs and 4 lone pairs d) 2 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs e) 4 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair

Option (b) is correct

Explanation:

The number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons in carbon dioxide 4 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs

The carbon has 4 electrons in its outer energy shell (group 4) Each oxygen present in the carbon dioxide molecule contributes 2 electrons - 1 for each bond formation.

∴ There is a total of 8 electrons outside the carbon, present in 4 pairs.

As there are 4 bonds, they form all bond pairs forming 4 bond pairs. Each oxygen atom carries a lone pair of electron hence 2 lone pairs are present