Final answer:
Cutting a carbon chain involves simplifying the representation, converting carbon atoms into line ends or intersections, and omitting hydrogen atoms. The resulting structures require appropriate naming based on the longest carbon chain and the position of branches and bonds.
Step-by-step explanation:
When cutting a carbon chain, each carbon atom is transformed into either the end of a line or the intersection where lines meet. In these structural representations, hydrogen atoms that are bonded to carbon atoms are omitted, though it is essential to remember they are present. For instance, to represent a molecule with a chain of five carbon atoms, first write the parent chain as: C-C-C-C-C. If there is a double bond between the second and third carbon atoms, it is added to the structure accordingly, shifting the molecule's characteristics and name.
An example of naming a branched molecule is identifying the longest carbon chain, which provides the base of the name, such as 'hexane'. You then number the chain in a way that gives the substituents the lowest numbers possible. If a branch is attached to the third carbon, and consists of two carbon atoms, we name this branch 'ethyl', resulting in the molecular name '3-ethylhexane'. The manner in which the carbon chain is numbered and broken creates different isomers, with unique structural formulas and names.