EasyChemistryHigh School (9–10)GeneralCarbon and Its Compounds › Covalent Bonding and AllotropesConceptual
How many pairs of electrons are shared in each bond named?
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
How many pairs of electrons are shared in each bond named?
- Between the two atoms of .
- Between the carbon and the nitrogen of hydrogen cyanide, .
- Between the two carbon atoms of ethene, .
- Between the oxygen and one hydrogen atom of water.
- Between the carbon and one oxygen atom of carbon dioxide.
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
A covalent bond is a pair of electrons shared by two atoms. One pair is a single bond, two pairs a double bond, three pairs a triple bond. Valency: H , O , N , C , Cl . Number of bonds, counting a double bond as two, = (sum of the valencies) .
The worked solution
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. (a) One pair. Each chlorine needs one more electron.
Step 2. (b) Three pairs. Carbon has one bond to hydrogen, so it needs three more to nitrogen, which also needs three.
Step 3. (c) Two pairs. Each carbon has two hydrogens, so it needs two more bonds to the other carbon.
Step 4. (d) One pair. Oxygen shares one pair with each hydrogen.
Step 5. (e) Two pairs. Carbon shares two pairs with each oxygen, O=C=O.
Answer: (a) ; (b) ; (c) ; (d) ; (e) pairs.
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