Question

The chemical formula of mash gas (methane) is
A. \[{{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}\]\[\]
B. $C{{H}_{4}}$
C. \[{{C}_{3}}{{H}_{8}}\]
D. \[{{C}_{4}}{{H}_{10}}\]

Answer 1

Hint: The chemical formula of the alkanes based on the number of carbon atoms needs to be found. To find the formula we must know how is the (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) IUPAC nomenclature done for any compound. The first alphabetical part of any IUPAC name indicates the number of carbons present in the longest carbon chain and the suffix indicates the functional group present in the compound.

Complete answer:
The hydrocarbon compounds where all the carbon- hydrogen bonds are linked by
Simple chains and which are single bonds are called alkane. All alkanes have the – Suffix – ane in the chemical name. Alkanes are also called saturated hydrocarbons because the valency of carbon in these compounds get saturated. That means carbon forms 4 bonds (single bonds).
The general formula for representation of alkanes is: ${{C}_{n}}{{H}_{2n+2}}$
Where n stands for number of carbon atoms. In the given question, methane also called marsh gas is mentioned.
Among the alkanes the simplest alkane where $n=1$ is called methane whose chemical formula is $C{{H}_{4}}$. Methane is a very important source of hydrogen and some other organic chemicals. Methane reacts with the steam at high temperatures to yield carbon monoxide and hydrogen and then hydrogen is used in the manufacture of ammonia for fertilizers and explosives.
Methane is also a greenhouse gas.

Note: When $n=2$, the structure is called ethane.
When $n=3$, the structure is called propane.
If the compound contains other functional groups such as a double bond then –ene is used as a suffix, if alcohol is present then –ol is used as a suffix and so on.