Question

C2 H4 + 02= CO2 + H2OWhat are the bonds breaking ?What are the bonds forming?Please explain in detail

Answer 1

We have the reaction equation:

`C_2H_4+O_2\rightarrow CO_2+H_2O`

The balanced equation will be:

`C_2H_4+3O_2\rightarrow2CO_2+2H_2O`

To have greater clarity of the bonds formed and broken we can write the blanced equation using the structural formula of molecules:

To know which bonds are formed and which are broken we look at both sides of the reaction. We compare the bonds we have in the reactants with the bond that we have in the products.

We have on the reactants side: 1 bond C=C, 4 C-H bonds and 3 O=O bonds

We have on the products side new bonds: 4 O=C bonds and 4 O-H bonds

So, we will have:

Broken links

1 bond C=C

4 bonds C-H

3 bonds O=O

The bonds forming are:

4 bonds C=O

4 bonds O-H