Question

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

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 ($\mathrm{C}$) atoms in alkane compound and,

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

Step 2: Determination of number of carbon atoms:

Pent represents five-carbon ($\mathrm{C}$) atom in a compound.

Step 3: Substitute the value of n = 5 in general formula:

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

${\mathrm{C}}_5{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{x}5+2}={\mathrm{C}}_5{\mathrm{H}}_{12}$

The molecular formula of the Pentane is ${\mathrm{C}}_5{\mathrm{H}}_{12}$.

Hence, there are five Carbon $\left(\mathrm{C}\right)$ atoms and twelve Hydrogen $\left(\mathrm{H}\right)$ atoms in Pentane.