what is the total number of electrons shown in this lewis structure of carbon dioxide?
In order to be able to determine how many lone pairs are present in a carbon dioxide molecule, you need to draw its Lewis structure. Carbon dioxide has a total of 16 valence electrons, 4 from carbon and 6 from each of the two oxygen atoms. In order to give the central carbon atom a complete octet, you need to form two double bonds with the two oxygen atoms. These bonds will account for 8 of the 16 valence electrons the molecule has.