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Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding
Chapter 8, Problem 38c

(c) Do you expect the O—O bond in H2O2 to be longer or shorter than the O—O bond in O2? Explain.

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Identify the molecular structure of both H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (hydrogen peroxide) and O<sub>2</sub> (oxygen gas). Hydrogen peroxide has a bent structure due to the presence of lone pairs on oxygen atoms, while oxygen gas is a diatomic molecule with a double bond between the oxygen atoms.
Consider the types of bonds present in each molecule. In H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, the oxygen atoms are connected by a single bond, whereas in O<sub>2</sub>, the oxygen atoms are connected by a double bond.
Recall that double bonds are generally shorter and stronger than single bonds due to the increased electron density between the atoms.
Apply the concept that the length of the bond is inversely related to the bond order (number of chemical bonds between a pair of atoms). A higher bond order typically results in a shorter bond.
Conclude that based on the bond order and the type of bonding, the O—O bond in O<sub>2</sub> (double bond) is expected to be shorter than the O—O bond in H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (single bond).

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Key Concepts

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

Bond Length

Bond length refers to the distance between the nuclei of two bonded atoms. It is influenced by factors such as atomic size, bond order, and the presence of lone pairs. Generally, shorter bonds indicate stronger interactions between atoms, while longer bonds suggest weaker interactions.
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Bond Order

Bond order is a measure of the number of chemical bonds between a pair of atoms. In simple terms, a higher bond order (e.g., double or triple bonds) typically results in shorter bond lengths due to increased electron sharing. In contrast, a single bond has a lower bond order and is usually longer.
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Lone Pairs and Steric Effects

Lone pairs are pairs of valence electrons that are not involved in bonding. In molecules like H2O2, the presence of lone pairs on oxygen atoms can create repulsive forces that affect bond lengths. This steric effect can lead to longer bond lengths compared to molecules with fewer or no lone pairs, such as O2.
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