What is the hybridization of the central atom in CO2?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the hybridization of the central atom in CO2?
sp
sp2
sp3
dsp3
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the hybridization of the central atom in CO2?
Step 1: Identify the central atom in CO2. The central atom is carbon (C).
Step 2: Count the number of bonds carbon forms with other atoms. In CO2, carbon forms two double bonds, one with each oxygen atom.
Step 3: Determine the number of regions of electron density around the carbon atom. Each double bond counts as one region, so there are two regions of electron density.
Step 4: Use the regions of electron density to find the hybridization. For two regions of electron density, the hybridization is sp.
Step 5: Conclude that the carbon atom in CO2 is sp hybridized.
