What type of hybridization occurs in ethylene (C2H4)?
Practice Questions
Q1
What type of hybridization occurs in ethylene (C2H4)?
sp
sp2
sp3
sp3d
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What type of hybridization occurs in ethylene (C2H4)?
Step 1: Identify the molecular formula of ethylene, which is C2H4.
Step 2: Determine the number of carbon atoms in ethylene, which is 2.
Step 3: Each carbon atom in ethylene is bonded to two hydrogen atoms and to the other carbon atom.
Step 4: Count the total number of bonds each carbon atom forms: 3 sigma bonds (2 with hydrogen and 1 with the other carbon) and 1 pi bond (with the other carbon).
Step 5: Recognize that to form 3 sigma bonds, the carbon atoms undergo sp2 hybridization.
Step 6: Conclude that ethylene has sp2 hybridization.
