Consider the following hydrocarbon:
b. How many 𝜎 bonds are there in the molecule?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the types of bonds present in hydrocarbons, which are typically composed of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms.
2. Recall that a sigma (𝜎) bond is the first bond formed between two atoms and is characterized by head-on overlapping of atomic orbitals.
3. Understand that in hydrocarbons, each carbon atom forms 𝜎 bonds with other carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms.
4. Count the number of single bonds in the molecule, as each single bond is a 𝜎 bond.
5. If the structure of the hydrocarbon is given, visually inspect the molecule to count all the single bonds, which will give the total number of 𝜎 bonds.

Key Concepts

Sigma Bonds (𝜎 bonds)

Sigma bonds are the strongest type of covalent bond formed by the head-on overlap of atomic orbitals. In hydrocarbons, each single bond between carbon and hydrogen or between carbon atoms is a sigma bond. Understanding the structure of the hydrocarbon is essential to count the number of sigma bonds accurately.

Hydrocarbon Structure

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. They can be classified as aliphatic (linear or branched) or aromatic (cyclic with delocalized electrons). The arrangement of carbon atoms and their bonding with hydrogen atoms determines the total number of sigma bonds present in the molecule.

Bonding in Organic Molecules

In organic chemistry, understanding how atoms bond is crucial for analyzing molecular structure. Each carbon atom typically forms four bonds, which can be a combination of sigma and pi bonds. Recognizing the types of bonds and their arrangement helps in determining the total number of sigma bonds in a given hydrocarbon.