Question

The number of covalent bonds in a molecule of carbon dioxide are:

• A. two
• B. four
• C. six
• D. eight

Answer 1

The correct option is B four

The atomic number of carbon is 6. Its electronic configuration is 2,4. Therefore, an atom of carbon needs four more electrons to achieve octet.

The atomic number of oxygen is 8. Its electronic configuration is 2,6. Therefore, an atom of oxygen needs two more electrons to achieve octet.
In a molecule of carbon dioxide $\left(C{O}_2\right)$, each oxygen atom shares two electrons with an atom of carbon to achieve octet.
Thus, a molecule of carbon dioxide has four shared pair of electrons.
A single covalent bond constitutes one shared pair of electrons. Since there are four shared pair of electrons in the molecule of carbon dioxide, the number of covalent bonds formed will be four.