Question

A large saturated hydrocarbon will contain

1. the same number of H atoms as C atoms
2. exactly twice as many H atoms as C atoms
3. less than twice as many H atoms as C atoms
4. more than twice as many H atoms as C atoms

Answer 1

A large saturated hydrocarbon will contain the same number of H atoms as C atoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

A saturated hydrocarbon, also known as an alkane, is a hydrocarbon with only carbon-to-carbon single bonds (C-C). These hydrocarbons are saturated with hydrogen atoms. The general formula for saturated hydrocarbons is CnH2n+2. For example, methane (CH4) is the smallest saturated hydrocarbon.

Since each carbon atom in a saturated hydrocarbon is bonded to four other atoms (hydrogen or carbon), a large saturated hydrocarbon will contain the same number of H atoms as C atoms.