Problem 4 - Chemistry A Guided Inquiry

Question

What is the relationship between the bond order and the number of electrons shared by two adjacent atoms?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The bond order directly correlates with the number of shared electrons between two adjacent atoms. It represents the number of chemical bonds between those two atoms and indicates the stability of a bond. Therefore, higher the bond order, more the number of shared electrons, leading to a more stable bond.

Step 1: Concept of Bond Order

Firstly, it's essential to understand what a bond order is. The bond order is the number of chemical bonds between a pair of atoms. It indicates the stability of a bond. In simpler terms, more the number of bonds (higher bond order), more is the stability and lesser is the bond length.

Step 2: Relation with Shared Electrons

The bond order can also be interpreted as the total number of electrons shared between two atoms. This means that the bond order directly correlates with the number of shared electrons. For instance, a single bond (bond order 1) between two hydrogen atoms involves 2 shared electrons (1 from each hydrogen atom). A double bond (bond order 2) would involve 4 shared electrons, while a triple bond (bond order 3) would involve 6 shared electrons.

Step 3: Conclusion

So, in concluding, it can be said that the bond order represents the number of shared electrons between two adjacent atoms. More the bond order, more the number of shared electrons, leading to a stronger and more stable bond.