Name: Hybridisation in SF₆ Molecule
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 2 min 31 s
Description: Understand the bonding present in the case of sulphur hexafluoride. This video illustrates that the hybridisation present in the case of sulphur hexafluoride...

Question

What are sigma and pi bonds? Explain the different ways of their formation diagrammatically. Which one of them is stronger and why?

Accepted Answer

Sigma (σ) bond and pi (π) bond:
Sigma (σ) bond → This type of bond is formed by the end to end overlapping of bonding orbital’s along the internuclear axis. This is also called axial overlap.
Pi (π) bond → This type of covalent bond is formed by the side wise overlap of the half – filled atomic orbital’s of bonding atoms. Such an overlap is known as lateral overlap.

Formation of (σ) and (π) bond diagrammatically.
Formation of sigma (σ) bond:
s-s overlapping: In this type, two half-filled s-orbital’s overlap along the internuclear axis.

s-p over lapping: This type of over lapping occurs between the half filled s-orbital of one atom and half-filled p-orbital of the other atom

p-p overlapping: This type of overlapping occurs between half – filled p-orbital’s of the two approaching atoms.

Formation of Pi π bond:

The orbital obtained as a result of sidewise overlap.

The strength of covalent bond depends upon the extent of overlapping of atomic orbital’s of overlapping of atomic orbital’s forming the bond.
During the formation of a sigma bond, the over lapping of orbitals takes place to a larger extent. On the other band, during the formation of a pi – bond, the over lapping occurs to a smaller extent.
Therefore, a sigma bond is stronger than a Pi-bond.

What are sigma and pi bonds? Explain the different ways of their formation diagrammatically. Which one of them is stronger and why?

Important Questions on Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

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