What is the total number of covalent bonds in methanol ?

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2021

The correct option is C. Methanol has the chemical formula $\text{CH}_3\text{OH}$. To find the number of covalent bonds, we need to consider its molecular structure.

The structure of methanol involves a central carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms, one oxygen atom, and the oxygen atom is bonded to one hydrogen atom.
Drawing the Lewis structure or structural formula:
Carbon (C) forms single bonds with 3 Hydrogen atoms (H) and 1 Oxygen atom (O).
Oxygen (O) forms a single bond with the Carbon atom (C) and a single bond with 1 Hydrogen atom (H).
The bonds are: 3 C-H single bonds, 1 C-O single bond, and 1 O-H single bond.
Total number of covalent bonds = 3 (C-H) + 1 (C-O) + 1 (O-H) = 5.

Each line in the structural formula represents a single covalent bond, which is a pair of shared electrons. Carbon typically forms 4 bonds, Oxygen typically forms 2 bonds and has 2 lone pairs, and Hydrogen forms 1 bond. This structure satisfies the valency rules for all atoms.

More similar MCQ questions for Exam preparation:-