CHEM 35

General Chemistry

Quiz #8

December 1, 2000

Name:       Answer Key

Ethylene (C₂H₄) has the following structure:

H H

\ /

C = C

/ \

H H

1. What is the molecular geometry (i.e., linear, tetrahedral, etc.) about each carbon atom?

3 bonding electron groups about each carbon => trigonal planar

2. What is the hybridization of the carbon orbitals involved in the s-bonding framework?

3 equivalent orbitals needed: sp² hybridization

3. Which orbital on carbon is involved in the p-bond between the two carbon atoms?

There is one 2p orbital that is not hybridized and it is the orbital that is involved in the C-C pi bond.

4. Which orbital on the hydrogens is involved in the s-bonds with carbon?

The 1s orbital on hydrogen forms a sigma bond with two of the sp² orbitals on each carbon.