Pi and Sigma Bonds Positions

[DominicMalilay 1F]

In a double or triple bond, where would the sigma bond be in relation to the pi bond, and vice versa?

[Tam Nguyen 2B]

It's kind of hard to visualize without a picture, but a sigma bond would be in between the pi bonds of a double or triple bond.

[ColmConnolly3D]

I have also found this image quite useful, it was what let me eventually understand this topic.



It is definitely a model representation, however, you can see that while the sigma bond occurs on the line between the two double-bonded nuclei of the molecule, the pi bonds are in the same direction, but are on a plane crossing through this line between the two double-bonded nuclei of the molecule and the line between the two other atoms attached to that central nucleus.

I hope this helps!
Colm