Consider the Lewis structure for glycine, the simplest amino acid:
(c) What is the total number of s bonds in the entire molecule, and what is the total number of p bonds?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atoms present in glycine: Glycine has the chemical formula NH2CH2COOH, which includes nitrogen (N), carbon (C), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H) atoms.
2. Draw the Lewis structure for glycine: Arrange the atoms to reflect the typical bonding patterns, with carbon as the central atom, and connect the atoms with single bonds initially.
3. Count the sigma (σ) bonds: Sigma bonds are single covalent bonds. In the Lewis structure, count each single bond between atoms. Remember that each single bond represents one sigma bond.
4. Count the pi (π) bonds: Pi bonds are found in double or triple bonds. In the Lewis structure, identify any double bonds and count the pi bonds. Each double bond consists of one sigma bond and one pi bond.
5. Sum the total number of sigma and pi bonds: Add up all the sigma bonds and all the pi bonds separately to find the total number of each type of bond in the glycine molecule.

Key Concepts

Lewis Structures

Lewis structures are diagrams that represent the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. They use dots to represent electrons and lines to represent bonds, allowing chemists to visualize the arrangement of atoms and the types of bonds present. Understanding how to draw and interpret Lewis structures is essential for analyzing molecular geometry and bonding characteristics.

Types of Chemical Bonds

Chemical bonds can be classified into two main types: sigma (σ) bonds and pi (π) bonds. Sigma bonds are formed by the head-on overlap of atomic orbitals and are the first bonds formed between two atoms, while pi bonds result from the side-to-side overlap of p orbitals and are typically found in double and triple bonds. Recognizing the difference between these bonds is crucial for determining the total number of each type in a molecule.

Counting Bonds in Molecules

To determine the total number of sigma and pi bonds in a molecule, one must analyze the Lewis structure and count the bonds accordingly. Each single bond is a sigma bond, while double bonds consist of one sigma and one pi bond, and triple bonds contain one sigma and two pi bonds. This counting process is vital for answering questions about molecular structure and reactivity.