(CnH2n)
The term (CnH2n) represents the general formula for alkanes, which are a family of organic compounds
The term (CnH2n) represents the general formula for alkanes, which are a family of organic compounds.
Alkanes are hydrocarbons, meaning they are composed of only carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms. The general formula (CnH2n) indicates that for every n carbon atoms in the compound, there will be 2n hydrogen atoms.
To understand this formula, let’s take an example with n = 4. Plugging the value of n into the formula, we get (C4H8). This means the compound contains four carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms.
Alkanes are known for their saturated nature, meaning that all the carbon atoms are connected by single covalent bonds. Each carbon atom in an alkane is bonded to four other atoms (either carbon or hydrogen), creating a tetrahedral shape around each carbon atom.
The general formula (CnH2n) can be applied to any alkane, regardless of the number of carbon atoms. It allows us to determine the number of hydrogen atoms in a molecule, as well as predict the structure and properties of alkanes.
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