Question

How many sigma and pi bonds are there in a single bond, a double bond and a triple bond.

Answer 1

Hint: Atoms are bonded together with the help of single bond, double bond or triple bond. When atoms combine together, it forms a molecule. It represents the smallest fundamental unit of a compound taking part in chemical reaction.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Sigma bond is a type of covalent bond which is formed by head to head overlapping of the atomic orbital along the internuclear axis. It is the strongest bond because it is formed by direct overlapping of the orbital. Sigma electrons participate in the formation of sigma bonds. Sigma bonds have high bond energies.

Pi bond is a type of covalent bond which is formed by sideways overlapping of atomic orbitals perpendicular to the internuclear axis. Pi bonds are weaker than the sigma bond because the pi bond overlapping of the orbital is much weaker as compared to sigma bond overlapping. Pi bonds have lower energy than the sigma bond.

Single bond is defined as the chemical bond between two atoms and has two valence electrons. The number of sigma bonds present in the single bond is only one. The number of pi bonds present in a single bond is zero.

Double bond is defined as the chemical bond between two atoms. It forms four bonding electrons between the atoms. The number of sigma bonds present is one and the number of pi bonds present in a double bond is one.

Triple bond is defined as the chemical bond between two atoms that have six bonding electrons. The number of sigma bonds present in triple bonds is only one. The number of pi bonds present in the triple bond is two.

Note: If a compound has two sigma electrons and four pi electrons, the compound has triple bond and if a compound has two sigma electrons and two pi electrons, the compound has double bond. If a compound has two sigma electrons and zero pi electrons, the compound has a single bond.