The shape of the ketene molecule (H2C=C=O) can be described as having a linear arrangement around the carbon atoms involved in the double bonds. The central structure consists of a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) and a carbon-oxygen double bond (C=O).
In ketene, the two carbon atoms are sp2 hybridized, which means they adopt a trigonal planar geometry. However, due to the presence of the double bonds, the molecule exhibits a linear configuration along the C=C=O axis. The bond angle around the central carbon (C=C) is approximately 120 degrees, while the overall molecule takes on a linear shape.
Thus, the final geometry of ketene can be summarized as linear, particularly in the direction of the C=C=O, with specific angles resulting from the hybridization of the carbon atoms.