Question

How many covalent bonds are present in acetylene?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6

Answer 1

The chemical formula for acetylene is ${C_2}{H_2}$. It is also known as ethyne, vinylene or narcylyn. It is used as a fuel. It is an unsaturated compound which contains two carbon atoms attached by triple bond and two hydrogen bonds linked with carbon with single bond. It is colourless gas which has mild ether odour. It is soluble in water.

Complete step by step answer:
Covalent bonds are defined as the chemical bond which is formed by sharing of electrons between the atoms of the molecule or compound. This binding between the atoms is due to electrostatic force of attraction of the nuclei for the same electron.
The chemical structure for acetylene is the following,$H - C \equiv C - H$
There are five covalent bonds in acetylene structure. The triple bond formed between the carbon atoms which places all four atoms in a straight line with a bond angle of ${180^o}$. It is a molecule with a linear symmetry. The other two covalent bonds are linked between two carbon and two hydrogen atoms. In acetylene we have three sigma bond two pi bond. The one sigma bond is in the triple bond attached to carbon atoms and the other two are attached to the hydrogen atom, while the two pi bonds are present in the triple bond.

So, the correct answer is Option C.

Note: Acetylene is soluble in carbon disulphide and ethanol. It gets easily ignited and is lighter than air. If it is exposed to heat or fire the container can get ruptured. Acetylene is used in the brazing, glass industry, soldering metals, and to preserve food.