4.32 Distinguish between a sigma and a pi bond.
Difference between the sigma bond and the pi bond is shown in the table below:
Sigma Bond | Pi Bond |
(a) Formed by end to end overlapping of orbitals. | Formed by the lateral overlapping of orbitals |
(b) Sigma bonds are stronger than the pi bond. | Weak bond. |
(c) The orbitals involved in the overlapping are s-s, s-p, p-p. | Bonds are formed only with overlapping of p-p orbitals. |
(d) The electron cloud is symmetrical about an internuclear axis. | The electron cloud is not symmetrical. |
(e) Free rotation is possible in case of a sigma bond. | Rotation is restricted in case of pi-bonds. |