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Question

Ethylene is a planar molecule whereas acetylene is a linear molecule. Why?

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Solution

The molecular geometry about a carbon atom in an organic molecule depends on the number of atoms bonded to the carbon. The geometry is tetrahedral for four, trigonal planar for three, and linear for two atoms bonded to carbon. In ethylene there are three atoms bonded to the carbon atom (2 hydrogen atom and 1 carbon atom) therefore the geometry is planar. However in acetylene there are 2 atoms bonded to the carbon atom (1 hydrogen atom and 1 carbon atom) therefore the geometry is linear.


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