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What is the average number of electrons shared between any two adjacent carbon atoms in a molecule of (i) cyclohexane, (ii) benzene? - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question (k) - 2021
Question (k)
What is the average number of electrons shared between any two adjacent carbon atoms in a molecule of (i) cyclohexane, (ii) benzene?
Worked Solution & Example Answer:What is the average number of electrons shared between any two adjacent carbon atoms in a molecule of (i) cyclohexane, (ii) benzene? - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question (k) - 2021
Step 1
(i) cyclohexane
Answer
In cyclohexane, each carbon atom is sp³ hybridized and forms a single bond with its adjacent carbon atoms. Each single bond consists of 2 electrons that are shared.
Therefore, the average number of electrons shared between any two adjacent carbon atoms in a molecule of cyclohexane is 2.
Step 2
(ii) benzene
Answer
In benzene, each carbon atom is sp² hybridized and forms a conjugated system. Each pair of adjacent carbon atoms is connected by one single bond and one part of a double bond (which is delocalized across the ring). Each double bond also involves 2 electrons.
In benzene, there are effectively 3 double bonds (due to resonance) across the 6 carbons. However, since the question asks for the average shared between any two adjacent carbon atoms, we consider each bond as having 2 electrons shared. Thus, the average number of electrons shared between any two adjacent carbon atoms in a molecule of benzene is 3.