Structure of Atoms

In this representation of C₃H₈ the carbon atoms are shown as  black balls. The hydrogen atoms are shown as gray balls. The atoms are all 120 degrees apart.

In this image of a C₃H₈ structure, carbon is black and hydrogen is blue. 

Lewis Structure

There is a single bond between each atom. The center carbon bonds with itself on each side and two hydrogens. The other two carbons bond with 3 hydrogen each.

Intermolecular Forces

When C₃H₈ is bonded the force that holds it together is London dispersion. 

The motion of electrons around the atom temporarily charges the molecule. Because the molecule is non-polar, it is the only force that can bond a molecule of C₃H₈.

Polarity

The molecule is non-polar. This is because the atoms are evenly distributed, one pole is not more negatively or positively charged than the other. There also are no pairs of unshared electrons.

Nature of the Bonds

Within the molecule there are bonds between carbon and hydrogen. These bonds are covalent according to the electronegativity chart. Hydrogen has an electronegativity value of 2.2 and carbon’s value is 2.5. The difference between them is 0.3, making the bonds very covalent bonds. 

Molecule Details

C₃H₈ is also known as propane. 

Molecule Makeup:

     3 carbon atoms

     8 hydrogen atoms

Molecular Weight

     44.096 g/mol