Question

Why can't we write C2H2 as CH ? If we can write Ca2O2 as CaO then why not hydrogencarbons?​Why can't we write C2H2 as CH ? If we can write Ca2O2 as CaO then why not hydrogencarbons? I had asked it earlier but not satisfied please answer​

Answer 1

1. The bond in CaO is ionic bond. A cation of Ca2+ combines with anion of O2- and we get CaO because each + is cancelled by each - and we get a neutral molecule of CaO. There is no molecule as Ca2O2, we have a lattice of ionic solids which have smallest unit as CaO.

2. On the other hand, C2H2 is a molecule where all the C and H are bonded to each other by covalent bonds. It is an individual moiety and not a lattice. Also, 2 is the number of atoms of C and H, but in the above case, 2 is the charge.