Bond Lengths and Order

[Maegan Abutin 2C]

Hi. Can someone explain the relationship between bond order and bond lengths in a molecule? How does the calculation of bond order give insights for the stability and reactivity of a compound?

[Nasha Lin]

The bond order in a covalent compound does not affect the bond length of each individual bond. However, having a double or triple bond will decrease bond length, and also decrease reactivity. This is because having more covalent bonds between two atoms makes it more difficult to break them, so the compound is less likely to react.