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Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding
Chapter 8, Problem 71a,c

State whether each of these statements is true or false. (a) The longer the bond, the stronger the bond. (c) A typical double bond length is in the 500–1000 pm range.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Bond Length and Strength

In general, bond length and bond strength are inversely related; longer bonds tend to be weaker. This is because longer bonds typically involve less overlap between atomic orbitals, resulting in a lower bond energy. Therefore, the statement 'The longer the bond, the stronger the bond' is false.
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Types of Chemical Bonds

Chemical bonds can be classified into single, double, and triple bonds, with double bonds being stronger and shorter than single bonds. A double bond consists of one sigma bond and one pi bond, which increases the bond strength and decreases the bond length compared to a single bond. Understanding these types is essential for evaluating bond characteristics.
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Bond Length Measurements

Bond lengths are typically measured in picometers (pm), with single bonds generally ranging from 150 to 200 pm, double bonds around 120 to 140 pm, and triple bonds even shorter. The statement regarding typical double bond lengths being in the 500–1000 pm range is false, as double bonds are significantly shorter than that range.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

There are many Lewis structures you could draw for sulfuric acid, H2SO4 (each H is bonded to an O). (b) What Lewis structure(s) would you draw to minimize formal charge?

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Textbook Question

Some chemists believe that satisfaction of the octet rule should be the top criterion for choosing the dominant Lewis structure of a molecule or ion. Other chemists believe that achieving the best formal charges should be the top criterion. Consider the dihydrogen phosphate ion, H2PO4-, in which the H atoms are bonded to O atoms. (a) What is the predicted dominant Lewis structure if satisfying the octet rule is the top criterion?

Textbook Question

Some chemists believe that satisfaction of the octet rule should be the top criterion for choosing the dominant Lewis structure of a molecule or ion. Other chemists believe that achieving the best formal charges should be the top criterion. Consider the dihydrogen phosphate ion, H2PO4-, in which the H atoms are bonded to O atoms. (b) What is the predicted dominant Lewis structure if achieving the best formal charges is the top criterion?

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Textbook Question

State whether each of these statements is true or false. (e) The longer the bond, the more energy is stored chemical bonds.

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Open Question
State whether each of these statements is true or false. (a) An oxygen–oxygen double bond is shorter than an oxygen–oxygen single bond. (b) The C—C bond in ethene is longer than the C—C bond in polyethene.
Open Question
We can define average bond enthalpies and bond lengths for ionic bonds, just like we have for covalent bonds. Which ionic bond is predicted to be stronger, Na—Cl or Ca—O?