Question
Assign reasons for the following:
(i) All C-H bonds in methane are equivalent.
(ii) Alkanes are called paraffins.
Solution
(i) This is because the carbon atom in methane is sp3 hybridised. Since all orbitals (four) in carbon have equivalent energies and shapes, therefore, they form all equivalent C-H bonds.
(ii) Alkanes are called paraffin because they are little reactive chemically due to the presence of strong and stable C-C bonds, therefore, alkanes take part in chemical reactions only under suitable conditions and are called paraffin.
