pi bonds

[Natalie 3k]

Hi! Does anyone have any tips for better visualizing how pi bonds work? I understand the basics but I'm having a hard time picturing them. Thank you!

[SophiaNguyen_2L]

Hi! I feel like these images can help visualize the sigma/pi bonds. Hope this helps!

[Jiwon_Chae_3L]

The way that I understand it is that sigma bonds are connected linearly at the tips, and pi bonds are connected laterally, at the ends of 2 dumbbells.

[reva_bajjuri]

so for the above ethylene structure are all of the hydrogens in the same plane?

[Hannah Biju 1E]

Yes, the hydrogens are in the same plane in the ethylene structure.

[reva_bajjuri]

are all of the hydrogens perpendicular to the plane the carbon sigma bonds are in?

[Stephen Min 1I]

A pi bond is formed by two p-orbitals overlapping side-by-side, as if two dumbbells were parallel to each other. This prevents the bound atoms from rotating.

[Gigi Elizarraras 2C]

Pi bonds are formed laterally so that the molecules cannot rotate. Sigma bonds are formed at the tip so that rotation is allowed. Basically pi bonds make the molecules stuck in position:)

[Emily Jacobo 1C]

I had a hard time too on understanding the two, thanks to all that explained it here. I'm more of a visual person and the visuals really helped me to understand clearer.

[Moura Girgis 1F]

Think of pi bonds as a vertical overlapping of bonds, so they cannot rotate, while sigma bonds consist of horizontal overlapping, in which they can rotate.

[Daniela_Martinez_3B]

The organic chemistry tutor on youtube has a great video on sigma and pi bonds that really helped me visualize them!

[Kandyce Lance 3E]

so for the above ethylene structure are all of the hydrogens in the same plane?

Yes thats correct!

[Kandyce Lance 3E]

The organic chemistry tutor on youtube has a great video on sigma and pi bonds that really helped me visualize them!

Do you mind sharing the link to the video that helped you?

[Daria Obukhova 2B]

Think of pi bonds as a vertical overlapping of bonds, so they cannot rotate, while sigma bonds consist of horizontal overlapping, in which they can rotate.

So, since they can't rotate, is that why you get atoms in different planes once you start adding to the central atom? Or is there another reason? I just remember a Sapling question we had about that.

[Alan Nguyen 2I]

The organic chemistry tutor on youtube has a great video on sigma and pi bonds that really helped me visualize them!

I recommend the channel "The Organic Chemistry Tutor" as well! Many of his videos are extremely helpful in just detailing the step-by-step of difficult problems. It can be very beneficial to hear the same material taught from a different perspective.

[Tristan Friet 3G]

Below is a link to a video done by "The Organic Chemistry Tutor" on Sigma and Pi bonds. Check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT8nrBrTOm4

[Aashna Bhandari 1L]

A pi bond is two p-orbitals overlapping while side-by-side. You can visualize it as if two dumbbells were parallel next to each other.