Which orbitals of the carbon atoms form the sigma bond between them in ethylene?
hybrid orbitals
s orbitals
p orbitals
d orbitals
The C-C sigma bond in ethylene is formed by the overlap of an hybrid orbital from each carbon. The overlap of hybrid orbitals or a hybrid orbital and a 1s orbtial from hydrogen creates the sigma bond framework of the ethylene molecule. However the unhybridized
orbital on each carbon remains.