WORKSHEET: COUNTING SIGMA AND PI BONDS

Below are structural formulas. Two shared paired electrons create a bond. A single bond is one pairing of electrons and is represented by one line. A double bond is two lines and a triple bond is three. Where two lines meet is an atom.

Another two terms is sigma and pi bonds. Sigma bonds are the main bonds and are the strongest. Pi bonds are additional bonds that add additional strength and rigidity.

Single Bond = 1 sigma bond
Double Bond = 1 sigma bond + 1 pi bond
Triple Bond = 1 sigma bond + 2 pi bonds

Therefore, add up all the single lines (plus the first line of any double/triple line) for sigma bonds.

Add up all the double and triple lines (not counting the first sigma bond) to determine the number of pi bonds.

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