What is the Difference Between Acetylene and Ethylene?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between acetylene and ethylene lies in their chemical structure and bonding. Here are the key differences:
- Chemical Formula: Acetylene has the chemical formula C2H2, while ethylene has the chemical formula C2H4.
- Bonding: Acetylene has a triple bond between the two carbon atoms, resulting in a linear geometry for the molecule. Ethylene has a double bond between the carbon atoms and a bond angle of about 120 degrees.
- Hybridization: In acetylene, both carbons are sp-hybridized, resulting in two sp hybrid orbitals oriented along the x-axis and two unhybridized p orbitals oriented perpendicularly along the y and z axes. In ethylene, both carbon atoms are sp2-hybridized, resulting in three sp2 hybrid orbitals oriented in a trigonal planar geometry.
Similarities between acetylene and ethylene include:
- Both are small hydrocarbons composed only of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms.
- Both are colorless gases.
- Both are flammable gases.
- Both have planar structures.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Acetylene and Ethylene? Comparative Table: Acetylene vs Ethylene
Comparative Table: Acetylene vs Ethylene
The main difference between acetylene and ethylene is the type of bond between the carbon atoms in their chemical structure. Here is a table comparing their differences:
Feature | Acetylene (C2H2) | Ethylene (C2H4) |
---|---|---|
Bond Type | Triple bond | Double bond |
Molecular Geometry | Linear | Planar |
Bond Angles | 180° | 120° |
Hybridization | sp | sp², sp |
Hindered Rotation | Yes | No |
Stability | Unstable | Stable |
Uses | Welding, cutting, synthetic material production |
Both acetylene and ethylene are small hydrocarbons composed only of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms, and they are colorless and flammable gases. However, acetylene has a triple bond between its two carbon atoms, while ethylene has a double bond. Acetylene's molecular geometry is linear due to the triple bond, whereas ethylene is a planar molecule.
Read more:
- Methylacetylene vs Acetylene
- Ethane vs Ethene
- Acetylene vs Propane
- Ethane Ethene vs Ethyne
- Methane vs Ethane
- Ethylene vs Ethylidene
- Ethane vs Ethanol
- Acetylene Black vs Carbon Black
- Ethyl Nitrite vs Nitroethane
- Ethylene Dichloride vs Ethylidene Chloride
- Ethylene vs Propylene Glycol
- Diethyl Ether vs Ethyl Acetate
- Ethylene Glycol vs Diethylene Glycol
- Acetone vs Ethanol
- Ethyl Chloride vs Chlorobenzene
- Ethyl vs Methyl
- Ethyl Alcohol vs Ethanol
- Methyl Acetate vs Ethyl Acetate
- Alkenes vs Alkynes