Define electronegativity - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question c and f - 2021
Question c and f
Define electronegativity.
Take the average bond energies for the C−C single bond and the C≡C triple bond as 348 and 839 kJ mol⁻¹ respectively.
Why is the average bo... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Define electronegativity - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question c and f - 2021
Step 1
Define electronegativity
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Answer
Electronegativity is defined as the number expressing the relative (measure of) force of attraction (affinity) of an atom (nucleus of an atom) of an element for shared pairs of electrons in a covalent bond.
Step 2
Why is the average bond energy for the C≡C triple bond less than three times the average bond energy for the C−C single bond?
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Answer
The C−C bond is a sigma bond, while the C≡C bond consists of one sigma bond and two pi bonds. The sigma bond is stronger than the pi bonds. Thus, the overall strength of the C≡C triple bond is not simply three times that of the C−C single bond because the contribution of the pi bonds is not equivalent to that of the sigma bond.
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