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Which statement describes the bonds in carbon dioxide (CO2)

A. Carbon and oxygen have an electronegativity difference of 0.5, so the bond is ionic, with oxygen pulling the electrons toward it
B. Carbon and oxygen have an electronegativity difference of 0.5, so the bond is nonpolar covalent, with oxygen pulling the electrons toward it.
C. Carbon and oxygen have an electronegativity difference of 0.5, so the bond is polar covalent, with oxygen pulling the electrons toward it
D. Carbon and oxygen have an electronegativity difference of 1,0, so the bond is polae covalent, with oxygen pulling the electrons toward it

1 answer

To analyze the bonds in carbon dioxide (CO₂), we need to consider the electronegativity values of carbon and oxygen. Carbon has an electronegativity of about 2.5, while oxygen has an electronegativity of about 3.5. The difference in electronegativity is 3.5 - 2.5 = 1.0.

With an electronegativity difference of 1.0, the bonds in carbon dioxide are classified as polar covalent. This means that oxygen, being more electronegative, will tend to pull the bonding electrons closer to itself, giving the oxygen slightly negative character and the carbon slightly positive character.

Thus, the correct statement is: D. Carbon and oxygen have an electronegativity difference of 1.0, so the bond is polar covalent, with oxygen pulling the electrons toward it.