Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
C₂H₂ is the chemical formula for acetylene, a highly flammable hydrocarbon gas. It consists of two carbon atoms bonded to each other with a triple bond, and each carbon atom also binds to one hydrogen atom.
Related terms
Hydrocarbon Gas: Acetylene falls under the category of hydrocarbon gases since it contains only hydrogen and carbon atoms.
A triple bond is a strong covalent bond formed when two atoms share three pairs of electrons. Acetylene contains a triple bond between its two carbon atoms.
Flammable: Flammable substances have high reactivity with oxygen and can easily catch fire or explode when exposed to heat, sparks, or flames.