Asked by khare

Formaldehyde is an organic compound. Each molecule includes two hydrogen
atoms, one oxygen
atom, and one carbon
atom. Below are the dot structures for each of these elements.​
At left, a purple circle labeled H surrounded by two concentric circles, the inner with nothing on it, the outer with 1 small green spheres. In center, a purple circle labeled O surrounded by two concentric circles, the inner with 2 small green spheres, the outer with 6 small green spheres. At right, a purple circle labeled C surrounded by two concentric circles, the inner with 2 small green spheres, the outer with 4 small green spheres.
Which diagram shows how the covalent bonds most likely form in a formaldehyde molecule?
Responses

O connected above and below to H's by 1 line each. O also connected by two lines to C, which has 2 dots each above and below.
Image with description O connected above and below to H's by 1 line each. O also connected by two lines to C, which has 2 dots each above and below.

C connected above and below to H's by 1 line each. C also connected by two lines to O, which has 2 dots each above and below.
Image with description C connected above and below to H's by 1 line each. C also connected by two lines to O, which has 2 dots each above and below.

C connected above and below to H's by 1 line each. C also connected by three lines to O, which has 2 dots each above and below.
Image with description C connected above and below to H's by 1 line each. C also connected by three lines to O, which has 2 dots each above and below.

O connected above and below to H's by 1 line each. O also connected by two lines to C, which has 2 dots above.
Image with description O connected above and below to H's by 1 line each. O also connected by two lines to C, which has 2 dots above.
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All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Choose the diagram showing C bonded to two H atoms (single bonds) and double-bonded to O, with O having two lone pairs.

Reason: C needs 4 bonds (8 electrons) so it forms two C–H single bonds and one C=O double bond. O has two lone pairs plus the double bond to satisfy its octet; each H has a single bond (2 electrons).