Draw the orbital diagram for carbon in CO2
showing how many carbon atom electrons are in each orbital.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The orbital diagram for carbon in carbon dioxide (CO₂) involves describing how the electrons are distributed in the atomic orbitals of the carbon atom. Carbon has an atomic number of 6, meaning it has 6 electrons.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
- Electron Configuration of Carbon:
Carbon’s electron configuration is 1s22s22p21s^2 2s^2 2p^21s22s22p2. This means:- The first shell (1s) contains 2 electrons.
- The second shell (2s) contains 2 electrons.
- The second shell (2p) contains 2 electrons.
- Orbital Diagram:
The orbital diagram shows the electron configuration in terms of orbitals. Electrons fill orbitals according to the Pauli Exclusion Principle and Hund’s Rule:- 1s Orbital: The two electrons in the 1s1s1s orbital are placed as two arrows pointing in opposite directions (↑↓), representing their spin orientation.
- 2s Orbital: The two electrons in the 2s2s2s orbital are also placed as two arrows (↑↓).
- 2p Orbitals: The 2p2p2p orbitals have 3 possible orientations: 2px2p_x2px, 2py2p_y2py, and 2pz2p_z2pz. The 2 remaining electrons in the 2p2p2p orbitals will be placed according to Hund’s Rule. This rule states that electrons will fill unoccupied orbitals first, and then pair up. Hence, one electron goes into the 2px2p_x2px orbital (↑) and the other into the 2py2p_y2py orbital (↑).
- Diagram Representation:
↑↓
2s: ↑↓
2p: ↑ ↑ (empty)
- Hybridization in CO₂:
In CO₂, carbon forms two double bonds with oxygen atoms. This involves the mixing of carbon’s atomic orbitals to form two sp hybrid orbitals. This hybridization occurs when the carbon atom forms the bonds with oxygen, resulting in a linear structure for CO₂. - Orbital Diagrams for CO₂:
After hybridization, the two sp hybrid orbitals of carbon form sigma bonds with oxygen atoms, and the two remaining unhybridized p orbitals (p_x and p_y) form pi bonds with the oxygen atoms.
Conclusion:
The orbital diagram for carbon in CO₂ shows that the carbon atom has electrons in the 1s, 2s, and 2p orbitals, with two of these orbitals hybridizing to form sp orbitals. The electrons are distributed according to quantum mechanical principles and hybridization theory. This hybridization is crucial for forming the linear molecular geometry of CO₂.
