Question

Among the following which one is linear?

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

The correct option is D

First, we have to decide, in which compounds we have to apply VSEPR Theory and AVSEPR Theory.

* The compounds in which ep is not coming as an integer, we will apply AVSEPR Theory.

* The compounds in which octet of each element is not filled by using VSEPR Theory, we will apply AVSEPR Theory.

$\to$ In $C{O}_2$, $N{O}_2$ and $Cl{O}_2$; the ep (calculated using VSEPR) is not coming as integer.

$\to$ In $S{O}_2$; if we apply VSEPR Theory, its structure will come as Tetrahedral, but the octet of each element will not be complete.

So, we will apply AVSEPR Theory here.

$\to C{O}_2\Rightarrow$ ep = $\frac{(V+L+A-C)}{2}=\frac{4}{2}$ =2 [Linear geometry]

$\to N{O}_2\Rightarrow$ ep = $\frac{(5+1)}{2}$ =3 [Trigonal Planar]

$\to S{O}_2\Rightarrow$ ep = $\frac{6}{2}$ =3 [Trigonal Planar]

$\to Cl{O}_2\Rightarrow$ ep = $\frac{(7+1)}{2}$ = 8 [Tetrahedral]

Therefore, only linear structure is $C{O}_2$.