Tutorial 1

1. Carbon is an element in group 14 (or group 4) of the periodic table and this element is
considered as very unique. Explain/describe the uniqueness of carbon atom.

2. What are the conditions for bond formation?

3. (i) Write the electronic configuration of the element carbon and silicon.
(ii) Describe the valence electrons of carbon atom.

(iii) The 2p orbital of carbon has two singly occupied electrons and this implies that two
covalent bonds will be formed. However, we know of an organic compound, methane CH4
which has four hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon atom. How is this possible?

4. (i) What is meant by the word “hybridisation” in chemistry?

(ii) By aid of diagrams describe the following hybridisation in carbon atom: sp3, sp2 and sp1.

(iii) Explain what sigma (σ) and pi(π) bonds are and in what kind of molecules do you find σ or π
bond.

5. (i) Describe the type of hybridisation and bond types (σ and π) present in the molecular
structures given below. Give the bond angles and the expected geometry for the indicated
hybridisation as well.

(ii) In which of the given molecules above, would you find π bonds? How are π bonds formed?