Question

draw the lewis structure for the ethylene (c₂h₄) molecule. be sure to include all resonance structures that satisfy the octet rule.

Explanation:

1. Determine the total number of valence electrons. Carbon has 4 valence electrons and hydrogen has 1. For \(C_2H_4\), \(2\times4 + 4\times1=12\) valence electrons.
2. Place the carbon - carbon atoms in the center. Connect them with a bond. Each carbon - carbon bond uses 2 electrons.
3. Attach hydrogen atoms to the carbon atoms. Each \(C - H\) bond uses 2 electrons.
4. Fill the octets of the carbon atoms. Since each carbon is bonded to 2 hydrogens and another carbon, a double - bond between the carbon atoms is needed to satisfy the octet rule. There are no resonance structures for \(C_2H_4\) as the double - bond is the only way to satisfy the octet rule and use all 12 valence electrons.

The Lewis structure has a double - bond between the two carbon atoms (\(C = C\)) and each carbon is also bonded to two hydrogen atoms (\(H - C - C - H\)).

Answer:

The Lewis structure of \(C_2H_4\) has a \(C = C\) double - bond with each carbon atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms (\(H - C - C - H\)) and there are no resonance structures.