Electron count in ethane (C₂H₆)

Steps:

• Identify the molecule from the diagram as ethane (CH₃-CH₃) with 2 carbon atoms and 6 hydrogen atoms.
• Calculate total electrons: each C has 6 electrons (2×6=12), each H has 1 electron (6×1=6), total X=18.
• Determine bonds: 1 C-C bond (2 electrons) and 6 C-H bonds (6×2=12 electrons), total Y=14 electrons in bonds.
• Match to options: 18 and 14 corresponds to D.

Why D is correct:

• Total electrons follow atomic electron count (C=6, H=1), and bonding electrons match covalent bond definition (2 electrons per single bond) for 7 bonds in ethane.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Underestimates total electrons (forgets full atomic counts) and bonding electrons.
• B: Matches D but listed as duplicate; assumes unique correct is D per query.
• C: Correct total but undercounts bonding electrons (misses one bond's electrons).

Final answer: D