How many covalent bonds are there in a molecule of ethane, $\text{C}_2\text{H}_6$?

There are $7$ covalent bonds in a molecule of ethane ($\text{C}_2\text{H}_6$).

Question 11 markVery Short AnswerSection A

$\text{C}_2\text{H}_6$

Carbon and its Compounds

Covalent Bonding in Carbon

Official answer

7

7 covalent bonds

single bond

C-C bond

C-H bonds

ethane

Marking scheme

1. $Stating the correct number of covalent bonds (7) (0.5 marks)$
2. $Showing the structural formula or explaining the breakdown (1 C-C bond and 6 C-H bonds) (0.5 marks)$

Hint

$Draw the structural skeleton of ethane by first linking the two carbon atoms and then distributing the six hydrogen atoms equally to satisfy the tetravalency of each carbon.$

Quick oral answer

$Ethane has 7 covalent bonds: 1 carbon-carbon single bond and 6 carbon-hydrogen single bonds.$

Common mistakes

1. $Students often count only the 6 C-H bonds and forget to include the single C-C bond, incorrectly answering 6.$
2. $Some students confuse the molecular formula and assume there are 8 bonds because of the subscripts.$

Analysis and explanation

Ethane is a saturated hydrocarbon (alkane). In saturated carbon compounds, all the valencies of carbon are satisfied by single covalent bonds shared between carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen atoms. Drawing the structural formula clearly shows the 7 shared pairs of electrons representing 7 single covalent bonds.

Interesting facts

$Ethane is the second simplest alkane after methane and is a gaseous byproduct of petroleum refining and natural gas processing.$

Question details

Q1 of 36 questions

Board: CBSE
Class: Class 10
Subject: Science
Year: 2011
Section: Section A
Marks: 1
Type: Very Short Answer
Chapter: Carbon and its Compounds
Topic: $Covalent Bonding in Carbon$
Bloom's level: Understanding
Syllabus topic: $Covalent bonding in carbon compounds.$

Spotted a mistake or something unclear?

Tell us and we will fix it.

Frequently asked questions

$How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2011?$

$This question carries 1 mark in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2011 examination.$

$Which chapter does this question come from in Science?$

$This question is from the chapter "Carbon and its Compounds" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.$

$What topic does this question cover in Science?$

$This question covers the topic "Covalent Bonding in Carbon" from CBSE Class 10 Science.$

$What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2011 paper?$

$This is a Very Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2011 paper.$