Can a molecule made of three atoms be linear if so how?

Answer 1

Yes it can, if there are no lone, unbonded pairs of electrons around the central atom. Water has 3 atoms, but also has 2 unbonded pairs. It is therefore a bent shape. Carbon dioxide, however, has no unbonded pairs, and is linear with 3 atoms.

Answer 2

Not all Triatomic molecules are linear in geometry because of non bonded elections. For example I3- once the valence electrons are filled on both outter Iodines and the bonds are accounted for, that totals 16 e- , while I 3- has 22 electrons to use. The remaining 6 form 3 groups of non bonded electrons, causing the Electron Domain to be 5, not 3 thus giving the geometry the Trigonal Bipyramidal shape

Answer 3

Yes, a molecule made of three atoms can be linear if all three atoms lie on a straight line. An example of this is carbon dioxide (CO2), where the central carbon atom is double-bonded to two oxygen atoms on opposite sides, creating a linear molecule.

Answer 4

yes