According to Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory, how many electron groups are around the central carbon atom in carbon dioxide (CO_2)?

• A. 2
• B. 4
• C. 3

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the molecule CO_2, which is carbon (C).
2. Determine the Lewis structure of CO_2 by counting the total valence electrons: carbon has 4 valence electrons, and each oxygen has 6, so total valence electrons = 4 + 2 \(\times\) 6 = 16.
3. Draw the Lewis structure with carbon in the center and two oxygen atoms bonded to it. Each carbon-oxygen bond is a double bond to satisfy the octet rule for all atoms.
4. Count the electron groups around the central carbon atom. Electron groups include bonding pairs (single, double, or triple bonds count as one group each) and lone pairs on the central atom.
5. Since carbon forms two double bonds with oxygen atoms and has no lone pairs, the total number of electron groups around carbon is 2.