Question

How many covalent bonds are there in a molecule of ethane $\left( {{\text{C}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{6}}} \right)$?

Answer 1

Hint: Once we know about the structure of ethane, we will have a clear idea about the bonding it possesses. Then we can figure out the number of covalent bonds present in a molecule of ethane.

Complete step-by-step answer:
The structure of ethane is given below:

As we know that there are 2 carbon atoms and there are 6 hydrogen atoms present in the compound. By looking at this chemical structure the two carbon atoms are bonded together and there are three hydrogen atoms attached to each carbon atom of the bond that we see here a single bond for this reason it is classified as an alkane.
Therefore, we can see that there are 7 covalent bonds formed. So, the answer to the question of how many covalent bonds are there in one molecule of ethane is 7.

Note: Some more information of ethane is that it is colourless at room temperature. It has a slightly sweet smell and it is flammable.
Ethane is used in the production of Ethylene for making plastics, antifreeze and detergents, it’s also a ripening agent for fruits, a refrigerant, a substance introducing welding gas and the primary ingredient in mustard gas. Ethane is a component in the natural gas Methane and is removed by cryogenic liquefaction.
Ethane is the simplest hydrocarbon containing more than one carbon atom. It is a prominent compound of industrial importance by converting it to ethylene or using it as a building block for the petrochemical industry, for the synthesis of both polyethylene plastic and other small compounds.