5.0k views
4 votes
Identify which compound is an alkane: ch2o, c6h14, or c3h4. Explain your reasoning.

User Tinus Tate
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

CH₁₄ is the only Alkane in given compounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

The General Formula for Alkanes is as follow;

Cₓ H₂ₓ ₊ ₂

where;

x = whole number

It means in alkanes for every x number of carbon atoms we have 2x + 2 number of hydrogen atoms. Let's apply this formula on given compounds.

CHO:

As there is one carbon atom in this compound hence, the number of hydrogen atoms present for one carbon atom in alkane must be equal to,

H₂₍₁₎ ₊ ₂

H₂ ₊ ₂

H₄

Hence, this compound is not alkane because it contains only two hydrogen atoms.

CH₁₄:

As there are six carbon atoms in this compound hence, the number of hydrogen atoms present for six carbon atoms in alkane must be equal to,

H₂₍₆₎ ₊ ₂

H₁₂ ₊ ₂

H₁₄

Hence, this compound is alkane because it contains fourteen hydrogen atoms.

CH:

As there are three carbon atoms in this compound hence, the number of hydrogen atoms present for three carbon atoms in alkane must be equal to,

H₂₍₃₎ ₊ ₂

H₆ ₊ ₂

H₈

Hence, this compound is not alkane because it contains only four hydrogen atoms.

User MikeAr
by
8.0k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.