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Which of the following correctly compares the strength of the two carbon-to-carbon bonds in the molecule represented in the Lewis diagram shown above?

User Anze Jarni
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The strength of covalent bonds is influenced by the type of overlap between atomic orbitals. A double bond, having both a sigma and a pi bond, is stronger than a single bond due to the increased overlap. Here option A is correct.

Bond Strength: The strength of a covalent bond depends on the overlap of the atomic orbitals of the bonded atoms. The greater the overlap, the stronger the bond.

Double Bond: A double bond consists of one sigma bond and one pi bond. A sigma bond is formed by the end-to-end overlap of orbitals, while a pi bond is formed by the side-by-side overlap of orbitals. A pi bond has less overlap than a sigma bond, so it is weaker. However, a double bond is stronger than a single bond because it has both a sigma and a pi bond.

Single Bond: A single bond consists of only one sigma bond. It has less overlap and less strength than a double bond. Here option A is correct.

Complete question:

Which of the following correctly compares the strength of the two carbon-to-carbon bonds in the molecule represented in the Lewis diagram shown above?

A. The carbon-to-carbon bond on the left is stronger because it is a double bond.

B. The carbon-to-carbon bonds are the same strength because the C-C-CC-C-C bond angle is 180°180°.

C. The carbon-to-carbon bonds are the same strength because they are both bonds between carbon atoms.

D. The carbon-to-carbon bond on the right is stronger because there are more hydrogen atoms attached to the rightmost carbon atom than to the leftmost carbon atom.

Which of the following correctly compares the strength of the two carbon-to-carbon-example-1
User Mike Dewar
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