Yes, the atoms that make up propane (C₃H₈) will form covalent bonds. Propane is composed of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms.
Covalent bonds form when atoms share electrons to achieve a full outer shell and stabilize their electron configurations. Carbon has four electrons in its outer shell and needs four more to be stable, while hydrogen has one electron and needs one more to fill its outer shell.
In propane:
- Each carbon atom can form four covalent bonds (because it has four valence electrons).
- Each hydrogen atom can form one covalent bond (because it has one valence electron).
In propane, the carbon atoms bond with each other and with hydrogen atoms through sharing of electrons:
- The three carbon atoms are arranged in a chain, with the first carbon bonded to three hydrogen atoms, and the second and third carbon each bonded to two hydrogens.
- This sharing of electrons results in strong covalent bonds.
Thus, the structure of propane, with its hydrogen and carbon atoms held together by covalent bonds, confirms that propane does indeed consist of atoms that form covalent bonds.
15 answers