BSC 2010C Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Ketone, Thiol, Aldehyde
Document Summary
Explain how carbon"s electron configuration accounts for its ability to form large, complex and diverse organic molecules. Carbon has an atomic number of 6 which means it has 6 electrons. The remaining 4 electrons are spread between the four level 2 orbitals (one 2s and three 2p) which is called sp3 hybridization. This allows for 4 unpaired electrons that can covalently bond with 4 different partners allowing for great variability in the carbon skeletons. Carbon skeletons can vary in length of how many carbon atoms are present in the chain. The can vary in how they branch off from the long straight line of carbons. There can be variation in the location of any double bonds in the carbon chain. Finally, carbon chains can also form ring structures. Describe the basic structure of a hydrocarbon and explain why these molecules are hydrophobic.
