CHEMISTRY YEAR 12 Class activity sheet-10 (Sigma and pi-bonds)

Lesson objectives:
By the end of this lesson, at least 70% of the learners should be able to:
 Define sigma (σ) and pi-(π) bonds.
 Use shapes of s- and p-orbitals to illustrate the formation of sigma and pi-bonds
 Describe metallic bonds and explain properties based on metallic bonds

ACTIVITY A: (Recap of previous lesson):

(a) State some of the things that you can remember about the last lesson.
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(i) What do you understand by the term bond length?
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(ii) Suggest conditions necessary for dative covalent bond formation.
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(b)
ACTIVITY B: (Prompt for prior knowledge):
What do you known about sigma (σ) and pi (π) bonds?

Sigma (σ) and pi (π) bonds.

- A covalent bond is formed when two atomic orbitals each containing an unpaired electron
overlap (mix) so that a combined orbital called molecular orbital is formed.
- The greater the degree of overlap, the stronger the covalent bond formed.
- The degree of overlap of atomic orbitals is greater for smaller atoms than for bigger atoms.
- This explains why smaller atoms form stronger covalent bonds than bigger atoms.

ACTIVITY 01: The atoms of chlorine and bromine with only valence electrons are shown below :
Which of the two atoms do you expect degree of atomic orbital
overlap to be higher? Explain.
…………………………………………………………………
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Chlorine
Bromine atom …………………………………………………………………
atom ………………………………………………………………….
(a) Overlap of s-orbitals to form a σ-bond

(b) Overlap involving p-orbitals

- For a p-orbital to form a sigma (σ)-bond, it modifies to include some s-orbital character. In
this case, one of the lopes of p-orbital becomes larger.

(i) Overlap of s- and p-orbitals to form a σ-bond e.g. C – H bond in methane (CH4).

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 (ii) Overlap of modified p-orbitals to form a σ-bond e.g. C – C bond in ethane (C2H6).
- In a sigma bond, electron density is symmetrical about a line joining the nuclei of the atoms
forming the bond.

- Definition: A sigma (σ) bond is a single covalent bond formed by end-on overlap of
atomic orbitals.

(c) Formation of pi (π) bonds e.g. C = C bond in a ethene

- Sideways overlap of p-orbitals form a π-bond. The p-orbitals involved are not modified to
have any.

- A π-bond, electron density is not symmetrical about a line joining the nuclei of the atoms
forming the bond.
- Definition: A pi (π) bond is a multiple covalent bond involving sideways overlap of p-orbitals .
ACTIVITY 02:
(a) Use shapes of atomic orbitals to show how orbitals overlap (mix) to form:
(i) the H – H bond in hydrogen (H2) molecule.

(ii) the H – Cl bond in hydrogen (HCl) molecule.

(iii)the Cl – Cl bond in hydrogen (Cl2) molecule.

(b) (i) Use the term sigma (σ) bond or pi (π) bond to identify the bond formed when a C – O
bond is converted to C = O bond.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) Use shapes of atomic orbitals to show how orbitals overlap (mix) to form the bond you
identified in (b) (i) above:
NOTE:
- All single bonds are sigma bonds. In a multiple bond, a sigma bond is usually in the middle.
- All multiple bonds (double or triple) contain only one sigma bond and the rest pi-bonds
- Sigma bonds are stronger than pi-bonds.

ACTIVITY 03: Using σ for sigma and π for pi, label all the bonds in the displayed formula
below

Shapes of some organic molecules:

- Pattern of electron density in sigma (σ) and pi (π) bonds can be used to explain shapes of molecules .

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 All the bonds in all alkanes e.g. methane (CH 4) are sigma (σ)
bonds. There is equal repulsion between all the areas of
electron density giving CH4 a tetrahedral shape with all H –
C – H bond angles of 109.5°.

ACTIVITY 04: Draw a diagram to show the shape of ethane

(C2H6) including the C – C – H and H – C – H bond angles.

H - In ethene molecule, each carbon atom is surrounded by three sigma

H
(σ) bonds and one pi (π) bond as shown to the left.
C C
H - The ethene molecule is planar to ensure maximum sideways overlap
H
of p-orbitals to form the pi (π) bond.
- The equal repulsion of the three areas of electron density of the sigma bond gives ethene
(C2H4) a trigonal planar shape with all C – C – H and H – C – H bond angles of 120°. To
minimise repulsive forces, the bond angle is actually reduced to 117°.
ACTIVITY 05: Indicate the bond angles on the ethene molecule above.

- If a carbon atom is surrounded by four single (sigma) bonds, then the molecule will be
tetrahedral in shape with bond angles 109.5° except cyclopropane to cyclopentane.
- If a carbon atom is surrounded by two single (sigma) bonds and a double ( σ and π) bond, then
the molecule will be trigonal planar in shape with bond angles 120°.
- If a carbon atom is surrounded by one single (sigma) bond and a triple ( σ and 2π) bonds, or by
double bonds on both sides, then the molecule will be linear in shape with bond angles 180°.

ACTIVITY 06: Identify the shape of the molecule around carbons 1 to 4 below for (a).
(a) BA = bond angle 1 2 3 4

H C C C C C C C H
(i)
H H H
shape round carbon 1. ……………………, BA ………..
H
(ii) shape round carbon 2. ……………………, BA ………..
(iii) shape round carbon 3. ……………………, BA ………..
(iv) shape round carbon 4. ……………………, BA ………..

(b) What is the shape of carbon dioxide molecule (O = C = O) and O – C – O bond angle?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………, Ba …………….
(c) What is the shape of a carbonate (CO32-) ion? …………………………….., BA ……………

Metallic bonding:
The four objects shown below are all made from metals.
Iron gate Aluminium sheets copper wire silver plate

- In a metallic lattice, metal atoms tend to lose their outer electrons and become positive ions.
- The lost electrons then occupy new energy levels and move free throughout the lattice.
- The free mobile electrons in the lattice are called delocalised electrons.

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 - Definition: Delocalised electrons are electrons not associated with a particular atom or bond
but can spread over three or more atoms.
- Metallic bonds are strong due to the strong electrostatic attraction between positive charge
ions of the metal and the negative charges of the delocalised electrons.
-
- Definition: A Metallic bond is electrostatic attraction between positive charge metal ions
and delocalised electrons.

Diagrammatical representation of metallic bonds in a metal that can form a charge of +1

such as group one elements is show below
– – – –
– + – + – + – + –
– – – – Positive metal ions ACTIVITY 07: On the space under A, draw a labelled
– + – + – + – + –
– – – – Delocalized electrons diagram to show metallic bonding in magnesium metal.
– + – + – + – + –
– – – –
Also draw another labelled diagram to show bonding in
aluminium sheet above under the space B.

A B

Factors affecting metallic bond strength.

- Size of positive charge: The greater the positive charge on the ion, the stronger the metallic bond.
- Size of positive ion: The smaller the cations in the lattice, the stronger the metallic bond.
- Number of delocalised electrons per atom: The greater the number of delocalised electrons in the
lattice, the stronger the metallic bond.

ACTIVITY 08: Compare the strength of metallic bonds in the metallic structures MS1, MS2 and
MS3 below giving all possible reasons:
MS1 MS2 MS3
e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e
+ + + + 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ + + + +
e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e
+ + + + 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
e e e e e e e e e e + + + +
e e e e e
(a) MS1 and MS2. ……………………………………………………………………………….
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(b) MS1 and MS3. ……………………………………………………………………………….
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(c) MS2 and MS3. ……………………………………………………………………………….
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ACTIVITY 09: Compare with all possible reasons the strength of metallic bonds in:
(d) Sodium and magnesium metals. ……………………………………………………………
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(e) Sodium and potassium metals. ……………………………………………………………..
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Properties of metals based on metallic bonds :
- High melting and boiling point: Electrostatic attractive force between positive charge metal
ions and delocalised electrons is so strong that only high temperatures can overcome them.

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 - Electrical conductivity: Metals are good conductors of electricity because their delocalised
electrons are free to move.
- Thermal conductivity: Metals conduct heat because their delocalised electrons are free to
move and also due to vibrations passed from one metallic ion to the other.
- Solubility: Metals are insoluble because hydration energy cannot overcome the metal bonds.
Some metals in contact with water react with it.

ACTIVITY 10: Three metallic rods X, Y and Z of the metals sodium, magnesium and
potassium are shown below. The letters and the elements are not in respective order. The
melting point of each metal in degree Celsius (°C) is given below it.
X Y Z

Mpt = 63°C Mpt = 98°C Mpt = 649°C

(a) From their melting points, which of the letters represents
(i) Sodium metal? Explain.
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(ii) Magnesium metal? Explain.
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(iii) Potassium metal? Explain.
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(iv) Which of the elements is a better conductor of electricity? Explain.
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ASSIGNMENT:
The diagram below is a metallic lattice of an element with some forces in the lattice labelled
a, b and c.
e e e b (a) What is a lattice? ………………………………………..
+ + …………………………………………………….(1mk)
a
e e e (b) Select from the first 20 elements, an element with such a
c metallic structure. Explain your choice of element.
+ +
…………………………………………………………
e e e ………………………………………………….(2mks)
(c) Use the terms repulsive or attractive to identify the forces a, b and c. Give an
explanation for each for identified.
(i) a: …………………………………………………………………………………..
Explanation: ………………………………………………………………………
(ii) b: ………………………………………………………………………………….
Explanation: ……………………………………………………………………….
(iii) c: ………………………………………………………………………………….
Explanation: ……………………………………………………………….(6mks)
(d) From structure above, a metallic lattice is expected to scatter apart but it is rather strong
explain.
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 ………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………….(2mks)

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