Which of the following compounds has 7 covalent bonds?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is: (A) Ethane

Ethane (C₂H₆) consists of two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms. Each carbon atom forms single covalent bonds with three hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom. The total number of covalent bonds in ethane is 7:

• 6 C-H bonds (3 for each of the two carbon atoms)
• 1 C-C bond (between the two carbon atoms)

Thus, ethane has 7 covalent bonds in total, which is why it is the correct answer.

• Methane (CH₄): Methane consists of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. The carbon atom forms four covalent bonds with the hydrogen atoms. Therefore, methane has 4 covalent bonds, which is fewer than the 7 in ethane.
• Butane (C₄H₁₀): Butane consists of four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms. Each carbon atom forms single bonds with other carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms. In total, butane has 10 covalent bonds (6 C-H bonds and 3 C-C bonds), not 7.
• Propane (C₃H₈): Propane consists of three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms. It forms a total of 8 covalent bonds (6 C-H bonds and 2 C-C bonds), which is more than 7.

Key Points:

• Ethane has 7 covalent bonds (6 C-H bonds and 1 C-C bond).
• Methane has 4 covalent bonds (1 C-H bond per carbon).
• Butane has 10 covalent bonds (6 C-H bonds and 3 C-C bonds).
• Propane has 8 covalent bonds (6 C-H bonds and 2 C-C bonds).