Valency of Carbon in ${\mathrm{CO}}_2 \mathrm{is}$

Valency of Carbon in Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) consists of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. To determine the valency of carbon in CO₂, we look at its bonding behavior:

1. Carbon has 4 valence electrons in its outer shell.
2. Each oxygen atom has 6 valence electrons and requires 2 more to complete its octet.
3. Carbon shares two pairs of electrons with each oxygen atom, forming two double bonds.

Because carbon forms four covalent bonds in total, its valency in CO₂ is 4.

Oxygen in this molecule shows a valency of 2, since each atom shares two electrons with carbon.

Example: This bonding explains why CO₂ is a stable linear molecule, commonly produced during respiration and combustion processes.