Final answer:
The atoms in propane form covalent bonds as they share electrons to achieve full outer shells, satisfying the octet rule for carbon and the duet rule for hydrogen. Propane's structure consists of three carbon atoms bonded to each other and to eight hydrogen atoms (C3H8), resulting in a stable molecule.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, the atoms that make up propane will form covalent bonds. Propane has a molecular formula of C3H8, indicating it consists of three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms. Both carbon and hydrogen are nonmetals, and when nonmetals bond together, they tend to share electrons to fulfill the octet rule, leading to the formation of covalent bonds. In propane, each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds with hydrogen atoms or other carbon atoms to complete its valence shell. The two end carbon atoms each form three bonds with hydrogen atoms and one with another carbon atom, while the middle carbon atom forms two bonds with hydrogen atoms and one each with the two other carbon atoms.
Moreover, propane is a hydrocarbon, a compound solely made of carbon and hydrogen. Such compounds are known for forming covalent bonds because both carbon and hydrogen need to share electrons to achieve stability, carbon requiring four additional electrons and hydrogen requiring one. The sharing of electrons allows these atoms to attain a full outer shell, satisfying the octet rule for carbon and the duet rule for hydrogen. Therefore, in the structure of propane, all carbon and hydrogen atoms are connected by covalent bonds.