Answer
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Step 1:: Determine the number of electron groups around the central atom.
In carbon monoxide (CO), the central atom is carbon (C). Carbon has 4 electrons in its outermost shell. Oxygen (O) contributes 6 electrons, making a total of 10 electrons. These electrons are arranged in 4 electron groups: 2 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs.
Step 2:: Identify the electron pair geometry.
For 4 electron groups, the electron pair geometry is tetrahedral. However, the presence of lone pairs distorts the geometry.
Step 3:: Determine the molecular geometry.
The molecular geometry of CO is linear. This is because there are only two bonding pairs of electrons, one between carbon and each oxygen atom. The lone pairs do not affect the molecular geometry directly.
Final Answer
The molecular geometry of carbon monoxide (CO) is linear.
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