Question

Write the number of $\mathrm{C}$ and $\mathrm{H}$ atoms in a molecule of Methane.

Answer 1

Step 1: Introduction

Alkane is a saturated hydrocarbon that has Carbon-Carbon and Carbon-Hydrogen atoms that are only connected through single bonds.

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

Where, $\mathrm{n}$ is the number of Carbon atoms in alkane compound and,

$2\mathrm{n}+2$ tells about the number of Hydrogen atoms in an alkane compound.

Step 2: Determination of number of carbon atoms:

Meth represents one-Carbon ($\mathrm{C}$) atom in a compound.

Step 3: Substitute the value of n = 1 in general formula:

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

${\mathrm{C}}_1{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{x}1+2}={\mathrm{C}}_1{\mathrm{H}}_4$

The molecular formula of Methane is ${\mathrm{CH}}_4$.

Hence, there is one Carbon $\left(\mathrm{C}\right)$ atom and four Hydrogen $\left(\mathrm{H}\right)$ atoms in Methane.