Predict the molecular shape and give the approximate bond angle in the co2 molecule. multiple choice linear, 180° o trigonal planar, 120 o tetrahedral, 109.5" trigonal pyramidal, 109.5" o bert, 1201

Linear, 180°

Explanation: According to VSEPR theory, the electron pairs surrounding an atom will position themselves around said atom in a way which minimizes the repulsion between them, in other words, as far apart from each other as they can.

In CO2, carbon is the central atom and it forms two double bonds with two different oxygen atoms. In this case, the only electron pairs surrounding the central atom are the ones forming each of the double bonds. VSEPR theory predicts that these two electron densities will repel each other as much as they can, and the molecular shape that will allow this to happen is a linear geometry with an approximate bond angle of 180°.