Which one of the following statements is true regarding bond characteristics?

• A. A triple bond is generally shorter and stronger than a single bond.
• B. Bond strength decreases as the number of shared electron pairs increases.
• C. A single bond is stronger than a double bond.
• D. Double bonds are longer than single bonds.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the relationship between bond order, bond length, and bond strength. Bond order refers to the number of shared electron pairs between two atoms: single bond (1 pair), double bond (2 pairs), triple bond (3 pairs).
2. Recall that as bond order increases, the bond length generally decreases because more shared electrons pull the atoms closer together, making the bond shorter.
3. Recognize that bond strength is related to bond order as well; more shared electron pairs typically mean a stronger bond due to increased electrostatic attraction between the atoms.
4. Evaluate each statement based on these principles: a triple bond should be shorter and stronger than a single bond; bond strength should increase, not decrease, with more shared pairs; a single bond is weaker than a double bond; and double bonds are shorter, not longer, than single bonds.
5. Conclude that the true statement is: 'A triple bond is generally shorter and stronger than a single bond.'