Question

Write the molecular formula, electron dot formula, and structural formula for ethane.

Answer 1

Ethane is the simplest hydrocarbon having the $C-C$ single bond. Ethane is one of the alkanes thus it is a saturated carbon compound which means it has all single bonds. It is represented by the following formula:

1. Molecular Formula:

Ethane has 2 carbon atoms with 6 hydrogen atoms attached to it with a single bond. It is represented as $C_2{H}_6$

2. Electron Dot Formula:

To draw the Lewis structure, we must keep in mind the number of valance electrons for ethane and that all the given bonds are covalent. On the basis of the outermost shell electron configuration of Carbon, there are 4 valence electrons for Carbon whereas there is only 1 valence electron for Hydrogen. Each Carbon atom is surrounded by three hydrogen atoms.

3. Structural Formula:

Ethane has a tetrahedral geometry and the carbon atoms have $s{p}^3$ hybridization. Due to this, the ethane molecule has a free rotation. Ethane can be structurally represented as: