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Ch.9 - Chemical Bonding I: The Lewis Model
Chapter 9, Problem 80

Which of the two compounds, H2NNH2 and HNNH, has the strongest nitrogen-nitrogen bond, and which has the shorter nitrogen-nitrogen bond.

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Key Concepts

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

Covalent Bonding

Covalent bonding occurs when two atoms share electrons to achieve a full outer shell, leading to the formation of molecules. The strength of a covalent bond is influenced by factors such as the number of shared electron pairs and the electronegativity of the atoms involved. In the case of nitrogen-nitrogen bonds, the presence of lone pairs and the overall molecular structure can significantly affect bond strength.
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Bond Length

Bond length is the distance between the nuclei of two bonded atoms. It is influenced by the size of the atoms and the type of bond formed. Generally, shorter bonds are stronger due to the increased overlap of atomic orbitals, which leads to a more stable interaction. In nitrogen compounds, variations in hybridization and steric effects can alter bond lengths.
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Resonance Structures

Resonance structures are different ways of drawing a molecule that can represent the same arrangement of atoms but differ in the distribution of electrons. These structures help explain the delocalization of electrons in molecules, which can affect bond strength and length. In compounds like H2NNH2 and HNNH, resonance can influence the nitrogen-nitrogen bond characteristics, leading to variations in stability and bond properties.
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