Question

Write the molecular formula of each of the following - Butane

Answer 1

The molecular formula of the compound gives information about the number of different atoms in the molecule.

Butane is an alkane compound.

Alkane is the acyclic compound having a single bond between Carbon-Carbon and Carbon-Hydrogen atoms.

The general formula of alkane compound is ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+2}$.

Step 1: Determination of number of carbon atoms:

But represents four-Carbon ($\mathrm{C}$) atoms in a compound.

Step 2: Substitute the value of n = 4 in general formula:

The general formula is ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+2}$

${\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{x}4+2}={\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_{10}$

Thus, the molecular formula of the Butane is ${\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_{10}$.