Question

Draw the electron dot structure of ethane.

Answer 1

Hint: For the required structure, we need to consider the Lewis structure. And for that we have to consider the number of the valence electrons for the given molecule and draw the structure. One needs to know that; an ethane molecule has two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms. The homologous series formula for alkanes is to be followed here to figure out the chemical formula of the given molecule. As ethane is an alkane, it will follow the alkane formula $C_n{H}_{2n+2}$.

Complete Solution :
We have to draw the dot structure of ethane.
The chemical formula of ethane is $C_2{H}_6$ and its chemical structure for this molecule is given below:
$C{H}_3-C{H}_3$
All the bonds present in ethane molecules are covalent bonds. The electron dot structure for the ethane molecule is:

- We should know that, on the basis of outermost shell electron configuration of carbon, there are four valence electrons for carbon whereas there is only one valence electron for hydrogen atom. These electrons are shared as shown in the diagram through a covalent bond. Each carbon atom is surrounded by three hydrogen atoms as shown.

Note: Some interesting facts about ethane are it is the second in the list of homologous series of alkane. The chemical formula for the homologous series is $C_n{H}_{2n+2}$. First one being, methane whose chemical formula is $C{H}_4$, the other one in this series are propane ($C_3{H}_8$), butane ($C_4{H}_{10}$) and so on.