Ethane is a hydrocarbon, which has 2 carbons and 6 hydrogen atoms. Each atom is bonded by a single bond.All 6 hydrogen share their electron with carbon and carbon share their ekectrons with other carbon and hydrogen resulting in the formation of 7 covalent bonds
hence option (b) is correct

The Molecular Formula of Ethane

Ethane is a hydrocarbon compound with the molecular formula C2H6. It consists of two carbon atoms bonded to each other with a single covalent bond and six hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon atoms.

Covalent Bonds in Ethane

A covalent bond is a type of chemical bond that involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. In ethane, each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds, while each hydrogen atom forms one covalent bond.

Structure of Ethane

The structure of ethane can be represented using a Lewis structure or a structural formula. In the Lewis structure, the carbon atoms are represented by the symbol C, while the hydrogen atoms are represented by the symbol H. The covalent bonds are represented by lines connecting the atoms.

The Lewis structure of ethane:
H H
| |
C=C

The structural formula of ethane:
H H
| |
C-C

Counting Covalent Bonds

To determine the number of covalent bonds in ethane, we need to count the number of covalent bonds formed by each atom.

Carbon atom: Each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds. In ethane, there are two carbon atoms, so the total number of covalent bonds formed by carbon atoms is 2 * 4 = 8.

Hydrogen atom: Each hydrogen atom forms one covalent bond. In ethane, there are six hydrogen atoms, so the total number of covalent bonds formed by hydrogen atoms is 6 * 1 = 6.

Total Covalent Bonds in Ethane

Adding the number of covalent bonds formed by carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms, we get the total number of covalent bonds in ethane.

Total covalent bonds = Covalent bonds formed by carbon atoms + Covalent bonds formed by hydrogen atoms
Total covalent bonds = 8 + 6 = 14

Correct Answer

The correct answer is option b) 7 covalent bonds.