What is the chemical formula for ethane?

What is the chemical formula for ethane?

• A. C2H6
• B. C3H8
• C. C4H10
• D. C2H2

Answer: (A)

The chemical formula for ethane is C2H6, which indicates that there are two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms in a molecule of ethane. This molecular structure is characteristic of alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons containing single bonds between carbon atoms. Ethane falls into the category of simple alkanes and is a significant component of natural gas. In comparison, the other options represent different compounds: C3H8 is the formula for propane, C4H10 corresponds to butane, and C2H2 represents ethyne (or acetylene), which contains a triple bond between two carbon atoms. This fundamental understanding of chemical formulas and their corresponding structures is crucial in organic chemistry and the study of hydrocarbons.

The chemical formula for ethane is C2H6, which indicates that there are two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms in a molecule of ethane. This molecular structure is characteristic of alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons containing single bonds between carbon atoms. Ethane falls into the category of simple alkanes and is a significant component of natural gas.

In comparison, the other options represent different compounds: C3H8 is the formula for propane, C4H10 corresponds to butane, and C2H2 represents ethyne (or acetylene), which contains a triple bond between two carbon atoms. This fundamental understanding of chemical formulas and their corresponding structures is crucial in organic chemistry and the study of hydrocarbons.