Question

Write the molecular formula of each of the following - Propane

Answer 1

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

Propane 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:

Prop represents three Carbon ($\mathrm{C}$) atoms in a compound.

Step 2: Substituting the value of n = 3 in general formula:

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

${\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{x}3+2}={\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{H}}_8$

Thus, the molecular formula of the Propane is ${\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{H}}_8$.