Final answer:
The 4' carbon is significant due to the presence of a hydroxyl group making the compound an alcohol, this affects the chemical and physical properties of the molecule and gives the carbon a tetrahedral geometry with sp³ hybridization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significance of the 4' carbon in an alkane chain is notable when the chain bears functional groups, such as a hydroxyl group on this specific carbon atom.
The presence of the hydroxyl group on the 4' carbon makes the compound an alcohol and alters the chemical properties of the molecule compared to its hydrocarbon counterpart without the functional group.
Furthermore, the physical properties such as boiling point and solubility will also be affected due to the presence of the hydroxyl group, enabling the compound to form hydrogen bonds. When considering the geometry, the 4' carbon atom, with four single bonds, exhibits a tetrahedral geometry and is sp³ hybridized.