Ethane is a hydrocarbon molecule with the chemical formula C2H6. It is composed of two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together by a single covalent bond, and each carbon atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms by single covalent bonds.

Step 1: Formation of the Carbon-Carbon Bond

The first step in the formation of ethane is the formation of the carbon-carbon bond. This occurs when two carbon atoms approach each other and their outermost electron shells begin to overlap. The electrons in these shells are then shared between the two atoms, forming a covalent bond.

[Image of two carbon atoms approaching each other and their outermost electron shells beginning to overlap]

Step 2: Formation of the Carbon-Hydrogen Bonds

Once the carbon-carbon bond has been formed, the next step is the formation of the carbon-hydrogen bonds. This occurs when hydrogen atoms approach the carbon atoms and their outermost electron shells begin to overlap with the outermost electron shells of the carbon atoms. The electrons in these shells are then shared between the atoms, forming covalent bonds.

[Image of two carbon atoms bonded together by a single covalent bond and six hydrogen atoms approaching the carbon atoms]

Step 3: Completion of the Ethane Molecule

Once all of the carbon-hydrogen bonds have been formed, the ethane molecule is complete. The molecule consists of two carbon atoms bonded together by a single covalent bond, and each carbon atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms by single covalent bonds.

[Image of the completed ethane molecule]

Structural Formula of Ethane

The structural formula of ethane is H3C-CH3. This formula shows that each carbon atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms and that the two carbon atoms are bonded to each other by a single bond.

Lewis Dot Structure of Ethane

The Lewis dot structure of ethane is:

```

H:C:H

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H:C:H

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This structure shows the valence electrons of each atom and how they are shared between the atoms to form covalent bonds.