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Physical Environment > Shell Model of Carbon Dioxide |
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This site tells the story of the history of the universe. Click Earlier and Later to follow the story. Note: Many facts have been simplified to make them easier to understand. |
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Let's look at the covalent bonds within a carbon dioxide molecule.
In this top diagram we see the outer shells of the carbon atom and the two oxygen atoms before they join together. The carbon atom has 4 electrons in its outer shell, and each oxygen has six. To complete their outer shells each atom needs 8 electrons. So carbon needs to gain 4 electrons, and each oxygen atom needs to gain 2. Because of the cloud-like nature of the electron, it can be in several places at once. An electron can move round two atoms at the same time. If an atom shares one of its electrons with another atom, BOTH atoms gain an electron, so filling a hole in their outer shells. So atoms join together to share pairs of electrons. The carbon shares two of its electrons with each oxygen, so each oxygen gains 2 electrons and hence gains a full outer shell. Each oxygen shares two of its electrons with the carbon, so the carbon gains 4 electrons, and so gets a full outer shell too. Each pair of electrons is called a covalent bond. So the carbon atom has 4 covalent bonds, two with each oxygen atom. We call these DOUBLE BONDs. |
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Physical Environment > Shell Model of Carbon Dioxide |
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Basic Information |
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