Question

Give the general formula to represent an alkane.

Answer 1

Alkane:

• An alkane consists of Carbon and Hydrogen atoms arranged in a tree structure in which all the Carbon-Carbon bonds are single.
• There are three types of alkanes linear straight-chain alkanes(the Carbon atoms are connected in one continuous chain with no branches), branched alkanes(the Carbon atoms are connected in one continuous chain with branches), and cyclic alkanes(the Carbon atoms attached in the form of a closed ring).
• The general formula for the linear and branched alkanes is ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+2}$.
• The general formula for the cycloalkane is ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}}$
• The examples of the Alkane are ${\mathrm{CH}}_4$(Methane) and ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5$(Ethane).

Therefore, the general formula of the alkane is ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+2}$.