Recall that a carbon atom behaves as if it possesses four valence electrons. given this information, what is the most likely structural formula for carbon dioxide (co2)?

            The structural formula of Carbondioxide (CO₂) is attached below.

Explanation:

                   Carbon atom having atomic number 6 and six electrons have electronic configuration as;

Ground State:                      1s², 2s², 2p²

Excited State:                      1s², 2s¹, 2pₓ¹, 2py¹, 2pz¹

                    Also, Oxygen atom having atomic number 8 and eight electrons have electronic configuration as;

Ground State:                      1s², 2s², 2p⁴

Excited State:                      1s², 2s², 2pₓ², 2py¹, 2pz¹

Hence, two atoms of oxygen with capability of sharing two unpaired electrons each will bond covalently with one atom of carbon atom capable of sharing four unpaired electrons. This will result in formation of a double bond between both oxygen atoms with a same carbon atom as shown below. The unpaired electrons of oxygen atoms are shown in red.