Question

${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6$ is the molecular formula of what?

Answer 1

• ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6$ is a hydrocarbon that has 2 carbon atoms and follows the general formula of alkane which is ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+2}$, where n is the number of the carbon atoms.
• Since all the members of alkane are represented by the suffix ‘ -ane ’ and it has 2 carbon atoms, therefore the name of the compound is ethane.