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Developing Fuels

Bonding and shape in organic molecules

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 01, 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on sigma and pi bonding, why rotation is free about C-C but not C=C, and the bond angles around a saturated and an unsaturated carbon.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Numbers

Why is a π bond weaker than a σ bond, why can groups rotate about C–C but not about C=C, and what is the bond angle around a saturated carbon?

Numbers

What is the shape and bond angle around each carbon of a C=C double bond?

Key term

How many σ bonds and how many π bonds are there in a molecule of ethene?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a σ bond?

    Model answer

    A covalent bond formed by the end-on overlap of two orbitals, with the electron density concentrated along the line joining the two nuclei.

  2. 2

    What is a π bond?

    Model answer

    A covalent bond formed by the sideways overlap of two p orbitals, with the electron density lying above and below the plane of the σ bond.

  3. 3

    How many σ and π bonds make up a carbon–carbon double bond?

    Model answer

    One σ bond and one π bond.

  4. 4

    How many σ and π bonds make up a carbon–carbon triple bond?

    Model answer

    One σ bond and two π bonds.

  5. 5

    Why is a π bond weaker than a σ bond?

    Model answer

    Sideways overlap of p orbitals is less effective than end-on overlap, and the electron density lies further from the nuclei.

  6. 6

    Explain why groups can rotate freely about a C–C single bond but not about a C=C double bond.

    Model answer

    A σ bond is symmetrical about the axis joining the nuclei, so rotation does not affect the overlap, whereas rotating about a C=C would destroy the sideways overlap that forms the π bond.

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A acid is formed.
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A3 ⁴₂He → ¹²₆C.
B¹²₆C + ⁴₂He → ¹⁶₈O.
C¹⁶₈O + ⁴₂He → ²⁰₁₀Ne.

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Nitrogen is +2 in NO and +4 in NO₂.
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