Question

Total number of $\sigma$ and $\pi$ bonds in ethene molecule is

• A. 1\(\sigma\) and 2\(\pi\) bonds
• B. 5\(\sigma\) and 1\(\pi\) bonds
• C. 5\(\sigma\) and 2\(\pi\) bonds
• D. 3\(\sigma\) and 1\(\pi\) bonds

Hint:

In double bonds, 1 bond is always \(\sigma\) and the other is \(\pi\).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The problem requires identifying the total number of \(\sigma\) and \(\pi\) bonds in an ethene (\(C_2H_4\)) molecule.

Structure of Ethene (\(C_2H_4\)): The ethene molecule consists of two carbon atoms (\(C\)) and four hydrogen atoms (\(H\)).

Bonding Details:

• Carbon-Carbon Double Bond: The double bond between the two carbon atoms consists of one \(\sigma\) bond and one \(\pi\) bond.
• Carbon-Hydrogen Bonds: Each of the two carbon atoms forms a single \(\sigma\) bond with each of two hydrogen atoms, totaling four \(\sigma\) bonds from carbon to hydrogen.

Type of Bond	Number of Bonds
\(\sigma\) bonds (C-C)	1
\(\sigma\) bonds (C-H)	4
\(\pi\) bonds (C-C)	1

Total Bonds:

• Total \(\sigma\) bonds: \(1 + 4 = 5\)
• Total \(\pi\) bonds: \(1\)

Therefore, ethene has 5 \(\sigma\) and 1 \(\pi\) bonds.

Answer 2

To determine the total number of σ and π bonds in an ethene (ethylene) molecule, we must examine its molecular structure. Ethene has the chemical formula C₂H₄. The structure of ethene consists of:

• Two carbon atoms connected by a double bond.
• Each carbon atom is also single-bonded to two hydrogen atoms.

In a double bond, there is one σ (sigma) bond and one π (pi) bond:

• The σ bond is formed by the direct overlap of atomic orbitals between the two carbon atoms.
• The π bond is formed by the side-by-side overlap of p orbitals above and below the plane of the atoms.

For the ethene molecule, count as follows:

• There are 4 C-H single bonds, contributing 4 σ bonds.
• There is 1 C=C double bond, which contributes 1 σ bond and 1 π bond.

Type of Bond	Number
σ bonds (total)	5
π bonds (total)	1

Hence, the total number of bonds in the ethene molecule is 5 σ and 1 π bond.