World of Chemistry
World of Chemistry
7th Edition
ISBN: 9780618562763
Author: Steven S. Zumdahl
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin College Div
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Chapter 20.1, Problem 1RQ
Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The unusual bonding of carbon atoms is to be explained.

Concept Introduction: The are two main properties behind the bonding of carbon atoms, catenation and tetravalency.

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Answer to Problem 1RQ

The bonding of carbon atoms is unusual compared to other elements due to the properties of catenation and tetravalency. A carbon atom has a high catenation tendency which allows it to form single bonds between many carbon atoms. Carbon has a valency of four which allows a single carbon atom to link with a maximum of 4 carbon atoms which leads to a large network of carbon atoms and compounds.

Explanation of Solution

The reason behind the high catenation property of carbon is its electronic configuration with 4 electrons in valence shell (tetravalency) that needs four more electrons to complete the octet and high bond energy of C-C linkage which allows stable bond formation in long-chain compounds. In other atoms, these properties are not shown to such a large extent and they cannot form very long same atom chains.

Chapter 20 Solutions

World of Chemistry

Ch. 20.2 - Prob. 3RQCh. 20.2 - Prob. 4RQCh. 20.2 - Prob. 5RQCh. 20.2 - Prob. 6RQCh. 20.3 - Prob. 1RQCh. 20.3 - Prob. 2RQCh. 20.3 - Prob. 3RQCh. 20.3 - Prob. 4RQCh. 20.3 - Prob. 5RQCh. 20.4 - Prob. 1RQCh. 20.4 - Prob. 2RQCh. 20.4 - Prob. 3RQCh. 20.4 - Prob. 4RQCh. 20.4 - Prob. 5RQCh. 20 - Prob. 1ACh. 20 - Prob. 2ACh. 20 - Prob. 3ACh. 20 - Prob. 4ACh. 20 - Prob. 5ACh. 20 - Prob. 6ACh. 20 - Prob. 7ACh. 20 - Prob. 8ACh. 20 - Prob. 9ACh. 20 - Prob. 10ACh. 20 - Prob. 11ACh. 20 - Prob. 12ACh. 20 - Prob. 13ACh. 20 - Prob. 14ACh. 20 - Prob. 15ACh. 20 - Prob. 16ACh. 20 - Prob. 17ACh. 20 - Prob. 18ACh. 20 - Prob. 19ACh. 20 - Prob. 20ACh. 20 - Prob. 21ACh. 20 - Prob. 22ACh. 20 - Prob. 23ACh. 20 - Prob. 24ACh. 20 - Prob. 25ACh. 20 - Prob. 26ACh. 20 - Prob. 27ACh. 20 - Prob. 28ACh. 20 - Prob. 29ACh. 20 - Prob. 30ACh. 20 - Prob. 31ACh. 20 - Prob. 32ACh. 20 - Prob. 33ACh. 20 - Prob. 34ACh. 20 - Prob. 35ACh. 20 - Prob. 36ACh. 20 - Prob. 37ACh. 20 - Prob. 38ACh. 20 - Prob. 39ACh. 20 - Prob. 40ACh. 20 - Prob. 41ACh. 20 - Prob. 42ACh. 20 - Prob. 43ACh. 20 - Prob. 44ACh. 20 - Prob. 45ACh. 20 - Prob. 46ACh. 20 - Prob. 47ACh. 20 - Prob. 48ACh. 20 - Prob. 49ACh. 20 - Prob. 50ACh. 20 - Prob. 51ACh. 20 - Prob. 52ACh. 20 - Prob. 53ACh. 20 - Prob. 54ACh. 20 - Prob. 55ACh. 20 - Prob. 56ACh. 20 - Prob. 57ACh. 20 - Prob. 58ACh. 20 - Prob. 59ACh. 20 - Prob. 60ACh. 20 - Prob. 61ACh. 20 - Prob. 62ACh. 20 - Prob. 63ACh. 20 - Prob. 64ACh. 20 - Prob. 65ACh. 20 - Prob. 66ACh. 20 - Prob. 67ACh. 20 - Prob. 68ACh. 20 - Prob. 1STPCh. 20 - Prob. 2STPCh. 20 - Prob. 3STPCh. 20 - Prob. 4STPCh. 20 - Prob. 5STPCh. 20 - Prob. 6STPCh. 20 - Prob. 7STPCh. 20 - Prob. 8STPCh. 20 - Prob. 9STP
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