Acetylene Molecule in 3D: C₂H₂ Structure and Facts
Acetylene, also called ethyne, is two carbon atoms joined by a triple bond, each with one hydrogen. It burns with a very hot flame used for welding and cutting metal. In Molecule Studio you can spin the acetylene molecule, zoom in on each atom and measure its bonds.
Explore in 3DAcetylene quick facts
| Chemical formula | C₂H₂ |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 26.04 g/mol |
| Atoms in one molecule | 4 |
| Shape | Linear, with an angle of 180 degrees |
| Group | Fuels |
What is acetylene used for?
- Welding and cutting metal
- Making plastics and chemicals
- Old miners' lamps
Interesting facts about acetylene
- All four atoms lie on a straight line.
- An oxyacetylene flame can reach over 3,000 °C.
- It has a carbon-carbon triple bond.
- It was once made by adding water to calcium carbide.
What you can do in 3D
Turn the molecule to see it from every side, switch between ball and stick, space filling and wire views, and tap atoms to measure bond lengths and angles.
More fuels molecules
Acetylene questions
What is the formula of acetylene?
C2H2: two carbon atoms joined by a triple bond, each with one hydrogen.
What shape is acetylene?
Linear. All four atoms lie on a straight line.
Why is acetylene used for welding?
Burned with oxygen it makes one of the hottest flames, over 3,000 °C.
Is acetylene the same as ethyne?
Yes. Ethyne is its official name.
Molecule Studio is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up. In the tool, molecules load from the built-in library or from PubChem.