Please explain why H2O has single bond and CO2 double bond.
Dear Student,
Please find below the solution to the asked query.
The electronic configuration of :
H = 1
O = 2,6
C = 2,4
H has only one shell and it can accomodate a maximum of 2 electrons only. So, it is short of just one electron to complete its duplet, So, hydrogen will always form a single bond.
O has 6 electrons in its valence shell which can hold a maximum of 8 electrons, So, it is short of 2 electrons to complete its duplet, So, it has two options, either it can form a double bond with a single atom or two double bonds with two same or different atoms.
Similar is the case with C, It needs 4 more electrons for which it has a tendency to form either 4 single bonds, 2 double bonds or one single and one triple bond.
Now, in water, i.e. H2O, oxygen is the central atom and can either form one double or two single bonds.
We have two hydrogens which can only form single bonds.
Thus, in water, oxygen is singly bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
In case of carbon dioxide, i.e. CO2, carbon is the central atom and there are two oxygen atoms. Carbon can form four bonds while oxygen can form a maximum of double bond. Thus, to satisfy the valency of each element, oxygen gets doubly bonded to carbon.
You will study about the actual detailed explanation of this concept and also about the shapes of such molecules in your higher grades.
Hope this information clears your doubt about this topic. In case of any other doubt, do ask here on the portal and our experts will try to help you out as soon as possible.
Regards
Akanksha Jain
Please find below the solution to the asked query.
The electronic configuration of :
H = 1
O = 2,6
C = 2,4
H has only one shell and it can accomodate a maximum of 2 electrons only. So, it is short of just one electron to complete its duplet, So, hydrogen will always form a single bond.
O has 6 electrons in its valence shell which can hold a maximum of 8 electrons, So, it is short of 2 electrons to complete its duplet, So, it has two options, either it can form a double bond with a single atom or two double bonds with two same or different atoms.
Similar is the case with C, It needs 4 more electrons for which it has a tendency to form either 4 single bonds, 2 double bonds or one single and one triple bond.
Now, in water, i.e. H2O, oxygen is the central atom and can either form one double or two single bonds.
We have two hydrogens which can only form single bonds.
Thus, in water, oxygen is singly bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
In case of carbon dioxide, i.e. CO2, carbon is the central atom and there are two oxygen atoms. Carbon can form four bonds while oxygen can form a maximum of double bond. Thus, to satisfy the valency of each element, oxygen gets doubly bonded to carbon.
You will study about the actual detailed explanation of this concept and also about the shapes of such molecules in your higher grades.
Hope this information clears your doubt about this topic. In case of any other doubt, do ask here on the portal and our experts will try to help you out as soon as possible.
Regards
Akanksha Jain