Chapter 6: Problem 3
Explain why \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}\) has fewer hydrogen atoms than \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The double bond in
\(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}\) restricts the hydrogen count compared to the single bonds in
\(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\), leading to fewer hydrogen atoms.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Chemical Formula
The chemical formula is a way to represent how many atoms of each element are present in a compound. - For \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}\), there are 2 carbon (\mathrm{C}) atoms and 4 hydrogen (\mathrm{H}) atoms.- For \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\), there are 2 carbon (\mathrm{C}) atoms and 6 hydrogen (\mathrm{H}) atoms.
02
Atom Count Comparison
Look at the number of hydrogen atoms in each compound:- For \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}\), there are 4 hydrogen atoms.- For \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\), there are 6 hydrogen atoms.- Compare the two, and you will see that \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}\) has 2 fewer hydrogen atoms than \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\).
03
Understanding the Molecular Structure
In \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}\), the carbon atoms form a double bond (\(\mathrm{C=C}\)), which affects the number of hydrogen atoms that can bond with the carbons because double bonds limit the number of hydrogen atoms that can attach.- In \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\), the carbon atoms form single bonds (\(\mathrm{C-C}\)), allowing for more hydrogen atoms to be bonded, so each carbon is attached to 3 hydrogen atoms, making 6 hydrogen atoms in total for the molecule.
04
Conclusion
The presence of a double bond in \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}\) reduces the number of hydrogen atoms compared to the single bonds in \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\), resulting in fewer hydrogen atoms in \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}\). This structural difference is the reason for the difference in the hydrogen atom count.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Molecular Structure
When we talk about molecular structure, we mean how the atoms in a molecule are arranged in relation to one another. This involves not only counting atoms but understanding how they connect.
In a molecule like ethylene (\(\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_4\)), the molecular structure includes carbon atoms that share a double bond. This affects how many other atoms, like hydrogens, can bond to each carbon.
In a molecule like ethylene (\(\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_4\)), the molecular structure includes carbon atoms that share a double bond. This affects how many other atoms, like hydrogens, can bond to each carbon.
- Double bonds tend to reduce the number of total atoms connected to each carbon.
- Bond angles and hybridization also contribute to the molecular shape and structure.
- This differs from molecules with only single bonds, which can allow for more surrounding atoms due to having more available bonding spots.
Chemical Formula
A chemical formula is a shorthand way of showing what elements make up a molecule and how many atoms there are of each. For instance, in \(\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_4\), it shows there are 2 carbon and 4 hydrogen atoms.
This formula is like a recipe, providing a precise count of elements but not detailing how they connect. However, by counting atoms, we can infer a lot about the molecule itself.
This formula is like a recipe, providing a precise count of elements but not detailing how they connect. However, by counting atoms, we can infer a lot about the molecule itself.
- Helps in identifying the particular compound.
- Assists in balancing chemical reactions.
- Allows for calculation of molar mass, useful in quantitative chemistry.
Double Bond
A double bond involves two pairs of electrons shared between two atoms, typically carbon atoms. In chemical structures, double bonds are denoted by two lines (=).
In our example, \(\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_4\) has a carbon-carbon double bond. This double bond significantly influences the properties of a molecule and its ability to bind with other atoms, as electrons are occupied in forming the double bond.
In our example, \(\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_4\) has a carbon-carbon double bond. This double bond significantly influences the properties of a molecule and its ability to bind with other atoms, as electrons are occupied in forming the double bond.
- Double bonds restrict rotation around the bond axis, leading to different isomers.
- They are stronger than single bonds but not twice as strong.
- Double bonds contribute to the molecule's stability and rigidity.
Single Bond
Single bonds involve the sharing of one pair of electrons between two atoms, such as in ethane (\(\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_6\)).
These bonds enable more hydrogens to attach to the carbons compared to double bonds; therefore, each carbon in \(\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_6\) bonds with three hydrogen atoms via single bonds.
These bonds enable more hydrogens to attach to the carbons compared to double bonds; therefore, each carbon in \(\mathrm{C}_2 \mathrm{H}_6\) bonds with three hydrogen atoms via single bonds.
- Single bonds allow for free rotation about the bond axis, unlike double bonds.
- They are simpler and generally weaker than double or triple bonds.
- Molecules with single bonds are typically more flexible.