Question

multiple choice 2 points
the carbon - carbon bond length in ethylene is ____ than the carbon - carbon bond length in ethane, and the hch bond angle in ethylene is ____ the hch bond angle in ethane.
longer; smaller than
shorter; larger than
longer; larger than
longer; the same as
shorter; smaller than
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Explanation:

Ethylene (\(C_2H_4\)) has a carbon - carbon double bond (\(C = C\)), while ethane (\(C_2H_6\)) has a carbon - carbon single bond (\(C - C\)). Double bonds are shorter than single bonds due to greater electron density and stronger bonding. In ethylene, the carbon atoms are \(sp^2\) hybridized, giving a trigonal planar geometry with \(H - C - H\) bond angles of approximately \(120^{\circ}\). In ethane, the carbon atoms are \(sp^3\) hybridized, having a tetrahedral geometry with \(H - C - H\) bond angles of approximately \(109.5^{\circ}\). So the \(H - C - H\) bond angle in ethylene is larger than that in ethane.

Answer:

B. shorter; larger than