Editing Acetylene (section)

==Bonding==
In terms of [[valence bond theory]], in each carbon atom the 2s [[Atomic orbital|orbital]] [[Orbital hybridisation|hybridizes]] with one 2p orbital thus forming an sp hybrid. The other two 2p orbitals remain unhybridized. The two ends of the two sp hybrid [[orbital overlap]] to form a strong [[Sigma bond|σ valence bond]] between the carbons, while on each of the other two ends hydrogen atoms attach also by σ bonds. The two unchanged 2p orbitals form a pair of weaker [[pi bond|π bonds]].<ref>Organic Chemistry 7th ed. by J. McMurry, Thomson 2008</ref>

Since acetylene is a linear [[molecular symmetry|symmetrical molecule]], it possesses the D<sub>∞h</sub> [[Molecular symmetry#Point group|point group]].<ref>{{Housecroft3rd|pages=94–95}}</ref>