Which of the following gas molecules exhibits a linear molecular geometry according to the valence shell electron pair repulsion theory?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Carbon dioxide features a central carbon atom double-bonded to two oxygen atoms with no lone pairs on the central atom, resulting in a symmetrical linear geometry with a bond angle of one hundred eighty degrees. Water and ammonia have bent and pyramidal shapes respectively due to the presence of lone pairs on their central atoms that exert strong repulsive forces. Despite having polar bonds, carbon dioxide is a non-polar molecule due to the cancellation of its bond dipole moments.