Question

The formula of carbon tetrachloride is:
A.$CHC{l_3}$
B.$C{H_2}C{l_2}$
C.$CC{l_4}$
D.$C{H_3}Cl$

Answer 1

Hint:To answer this question, you must recall the procedure of writing the chemical formula for a chemical compound. A chemical formula is the representation of a compound which tells us about the chemical composition of the atoms/ molecules. Carbon tetrachloride is a haloalkane, i.e., a hydrocarbon in which the hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogens.

Complete answer:
It can be clearly seen from the name carbon tetrachloride that the compound contains carbon and chlorine atoms. Tetra signifies that the number of chlorine atoms in the molecule is 4. So, carbon tetrachloride is composed of one carbon atom and four chlorine atoms. Carbon has four valence electrons and can use all of them to form a bond.
Considering option A, we have 3 atoms of chlorine and one hydrogen attached to the central carbon atom. The given compound is tri- chloromethane.
Considering option B, we have two atoms of chlorine and two atoms of hydrogen attached to the central carbon atom. The given compound is di- chloromethane.
Considering option C, we have four chlorine atoms attached to the central carbon atom. The given compound is carbon tetrachloride.
Considering option D, we have one chlorine atom and three hydrogen atoms combined to the central carbon atom. The given compound is chloromethane.
The formula for carbon tetrachloride is $CC{l_4}$

Thus, the correct answer is C.

Note:
A chemical formula represents the elements in a compound and their ratios to each oth3er using their symbols. For instance, the chemical formula for water is ${H_2}O$ as it contains hydrogen and oxygen in it in a $2:1$ ratio indicating that there are 2 atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.