Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

|

Shapes of Organic Molecules; σ & π Bonds (CIE A Level Chemistry)

Exam Questions

59 mins16 questions
11 mark

How many pi bonds does a molecule of ethene, C2H4 contain?

  • 0

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

Did this page help you?

21 mark

Which type of bond results from the side-to-side overlap of p orbitals?

  • Sigma (σ) bond

  • Pi (π) bond

  • Covalent bond

  • Ionic bond

Did this page help you?

31 mark

How many sigma and pi bonds are present in a double bond?

  sigma bonds pi bonds
A 2 0
B 1 1
C 0 2
D 1 2

    Did this page help you?

    41 mark

    What is the hybridisation of the carbon atom in methane, CH4?

    • sp

    • sp2 

    • sp3 

    • sp3d

    Did this page help you?

    51 mark

    Which of the following molecules is a straight-chain hydrocarbon?

    • Benzene

    • Cyclopentane

    • 2-methylpropane 

    • Propane

    Did this page help you?

    11 mark

    Methyl isocyanate, CH3NCO, is a toxic liquid which is used in the production of adhesives. 

    The sequence of atoms in a methyl isocyanate molecule is H3C—N=C=O.

    What is the approximate angle between the bonds formed by the N atom?

    • 3-1-m-5a

    • 3-1-m-5b

    • 3-1-m-5c

    • 3-1-m-5d

    Did this page help you?

    21 mark

    A synthetic molecule called N-acetylcysteine is used as an antidote for patients who have ingested too many paracetamol tablets.

    The diagram shows part of the molecule N-acetylcysteine and bond angles have been labelled.

    3-1-cie-ial-chemistry-diagram-q7medium

    Which is the correct size order of bond angles x, y, z from smallest to largest?

    • rightwards arrowrightwards arrow z

    • rightwards arrowrightwards arrow x

    • rightwards arrowrightwards arrow x

    • rightwards arrowrightwards arrow y

    Did this page help you?

    31 mark

    A student is building a non-cyclic, chiral alkane from a molymod kit. What is the lowest number of carbon atoms they will need to include in the model? 

    • 6

    • 11

    • 9

    • 7

    Did this page help you?

    11 mark

    Methacrylate acrylonitrile is an organic molecule that contains carbons that are sp, sp2, and sp3 hybridised. 

    What is the most likely bond angle for carbon that is sp2 hybridised?

    • 105degree

    • 109degree

    • 120degree

    • 180degree

    Did this page help you?

    21 mark

    The amino acid cysteine performs structural and functional roles within proteins. It is used as a nucleophile in enzymatic reactions and can form disulfide bonds with other cysteine molecules. 

    3-1-h-4

    How many carbon molecules in cysteine are sp2 hybridised?

    • 3

    • 2

    • 1

    • 0

    Did this page help you?

    31 mark

    Limonene is found in the peel of citrus fruits.

    3-1-cie-ial-chemistry-diagram-q7hard

    How many σ and π bonds are present in this molecule?

     

    σ

    π

    A

    24

    4

    B

    12

    2

    C

    26

    2

    D

    22

    4

      Did this page help you?