Final answer:
The condensed structural formula for pentane is CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3, which simplifies the representation of its structure by only showing carbon atoms and their directly attached hydrogen atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Condensed Structural Formula of Pentane
The condensed structural formula for pentane, a hydrocarbon with five carbon atoms, is written to suggest the bonding in the molecule without showing all the hydrogen atoms explicitly. The molecular formula for pentane is C5H12. To write the condensed structural formula, we prefix each carbon atom with the number of hydrogen atoms it is bonded to, except for the carbon atoms in the middle of the chain that are understood to be bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
The condensed structural formula for pentane is CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3. Here, the end carbon atoms have three hydrogen atoms (CH3), and the inner carbon atoms each have two hydrogen atoms (CH2), which are implied due to the understanding that carbon atoms form four bonds. This formula shows the sequential connection of carbon atoms and their associated hydrogens emphasizing simplicity and ease of understanding over visualizing all bond details.
In terms of molecular geometry, each carbon atom in pentane exhibits a tetrahedral geometry, since it is an alkane with single bonds (sp3 hybridization). The carbon chain being unbranched gives a straight-chain structure to pentane, different from branched isomers like isopentane or neopentane.