The structure of ethylene is

Options

A. linear
B. tetrahedral
C. octahedral
D. trigonal

Answer

To determine the structure of ethylene, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Molecular Formula
The first step is to know the molecular formula of ethylene. Ethylene is a hydrocarbon with the formula C2H4.

### Step 2: Determine the Arrangement of Atoms
In ethylene, there are two carbon atoms and four hydrogen atoms. The two carbon atoms are bonded to each other with a double bond. Each carbon atom is also bonded to two hydrogen atoms.

### Step 3: Draw the Lewis Structure
To visualize the structure, we can draw the Lewis structure:
- Start with the two carbon atoms (C).
- Connect the two carbon atoms with a double bond (C=C).
- Attach two hydrogen atoms (H) to each carbon atom.

The Lewis structure can be represented as:
```
H H
\ /
C = C
/ \
H H
```

### Step 4: Determine the Geometry
The geometry around each carbon atom in ethylene is trigonal planar due to the presence of the double bond and the two single bonds to hydrogen atoms. This means that the bond angles are approximately 120 degrees.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Thus, the structure of ethylene is a planar molecule with a double bond between the two carbon atoms and is described as having a trigonal planar geometry.

### Final Answer
The structure of ethylene is:
```
H H
\ /
C = C
/ \
H H
```
It has a trigonal planar geometry.

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