carbon in carbon dioxide is

Options

A. `sp^(2)`- hybridised
B. `sp^(3)` d - hybridised
C. sp- hybridised
D. `sp^(3)` - hybridised

Explanation

To determine the hybridization of carbon in carbon dioxide (CO2), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Structure of Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide consists of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. The structure can be represented as O=C=O, where carbon forms double bonds with each oxygen atom.

**Hint:** Start by drawing the Lewis structure of CO2 to visualize the bonding.

### Step 2: Count the Valence Electrons
Carbon has 4 valence electrons (from its electronic configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p²). Each oxygen has 6 valence electrons. In CO2, the total number of valence electrons is:
- Carbon: 4
- Oxygen (2 atoms): 6 × 2 = 12
- Total: 4 + 12 = 16 valence electrons

**Hint:** Remember to consider the valence electrons of all atoms involved in the molecule.

### Step 3: Determine the Bonding
In CO2, carbon forms two double bonds with the oxygen atoms. Each double bond consists of one sigma (σ) bond and one pi (π) bond. Therefore, the bonding involves:
- 2 sigma bonds (one with each oxygen)
- 2 pi bonds (one from each double bond)

**Hint:** Identify the types of bonds formed between the atoms to understand the hybridization.

### Step 4: Analyze the Hybridization
To determine the hybridization of carbon:
- Carbon has 4 valence electrons and needs to form 2 double bonds.
- In the ground state, carbon has the configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p².
- For hybridization, one of the 2s electrons is excited to the 2p orbital, resulting in one 2s and two 2p orbitals being available for bonding.

**Hint:** Consider the number of bonds and lone pairs to deduce the hybridization.

### Step 5: Determine the Hybridization Type
Since carbon forms two double bonds, it uses:
- 1 s orbital and 1 p orbital for hybridization, leading to sp hybridization.
- The remaining 2p orbitals are used to form the π bonds.

**Hint:** Use the general rule: 4 bonds = sp³, 3 bonds = sp², and 2 bonds = sp to confirm your findings.

### Conclusion
The hybridization of carbon in carbon dioxide (CO2) is **sp hybridized**.

**Final Answer:** The correct option is **sp hybridized**.