triple bond
Low (Specialized)Academic, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A covalent chemical bond where two atoms share three pairs of electrons.
Occasionally used metaphorically to denote an extremely strong or intimate connection, but primarily a technical term in chemistry.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Specifically refers to a type of bond in chemistry; often associated with molecules like acetylene (C2H2) and nitrogen (N2).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage between British and American English.
Connotations
None; purely technical with no additional connotations.
Frequency
Equally low in general language but common in chemical contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[atom] has a triple bond with [atom]The triple bond in [molecule] is [adjective]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; if used, primarily in contexts related to the chemical industry or research reports.
Academic
Common in chemistry textbooks, lectures, and research papers.
Everyday
Almost never used in casual conversation; limited to educational or scientific discussions.
Technical
Frequently used in chemical engineering, organic chemistry, and molecular biology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The carbon atoms can triple-bond to achieve greater stability.
American English
- In acetylene, the carbons triple-bond to form a linear structure.
adjective
British English
- The triple-bonded carbon atom is highly reactive in certain reactions.
American English
- Acetylene features a triple-bonded carbon-carbon linkage.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A triple bond is very strong.
- Acetylene has a triple bond between its carbon atoms.
- In chemistry, a triple bond shares three pairs of electrons.
- Carbon can form a triple bond with another carbon atom.
- The triple bond in nitrogen makes it very stable and unreactive under standard conditions.
- Breaking a triple bond requires more energy than breaking a double bond.
- Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of a carbon-nitrogen triple bond in the novel compound.
- The triple bond's character significantly influences the molecule's geometry and chemical reactivity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Triple means three, so remember that a triple bond involves three shared electron pairs between two atoms.
Conceptual Metaphor
Sometimes metaphorically extended to mean an unbreakable or very strong relationship, though this is not standard usage.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation 'тройная связь' is accurate in chemistry, but ensure it is not confused with 'тройной союз' (triple alliance) in non-chemical contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing 'bond' as /bəʊnd/ (like 'bone' with d) instead of /bɒnd/ or /bɑːnd/
- Confusing with 'triple point' in thermodynamics, which refers to a different concept.
Practice
Quiz
What is a triple bond in chemistry?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A triple bond is a covalent bond where two atoms share three pairs of electrons, making it stronger and shorter than single or double bonds.
Triple bonds are commonly found in molecules like acetylene (C2H2) and nitrogen (N2), as well as in various organic and inorganic compounds.
A triple bond is stronger and has a shorter bond length than single and double bonds due to the increased electron density between the atoms.
No, triple bonds are generally strong and require significant energy to break, which is why molecules with triple bonds like nitrogen are relatively inert.