Problem 23 - Chemistry An Atoms First Approach

Question

Give two examples of saturated hydrocarbons. How many other atoms are bonded to each carbon in a saturated hydrocarbon?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Two examples of saturated hydrocarbons are methane (\(CH_4\)) and ethane (\(C_2H_6\)). In a saturated hydrocarbon, each carbon atom is bonded to four other atoms.

Step 1: Define saturated hydrocarbons

Saturated hydrocarbons, also known as alkanes, are organic compounds composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with each carbon atom bonded to four other atoms through single covalent bonds.

Step 2: Example 1: Methane

Methane (CH4) is the simplest example of a saturated hydrocarbon. It has one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. The structural formula for methane is: \[CH_4\]

Step 3: Example 2: Ethane

Ethane (C2H6) is another example of a saturated hydrocarbon. It consists of two carbon atoms bonded together and each carbon atom is also bonded to three hydrogen atoms. The structural formula for ethane is: \[CH_3CH_3\] or \[C_2H_6\]

Step 4: Number of other atoms bonded to each carbon

In a saturated hydrocarbon, each carbon atom forms single covalent bonds with other atoms. Because carbon can form four bonds, and all of them are single bonds in saturated hydrocarbons, each carbon atom in a saturated hydrocarbon is bonded to four other atoms. In summary, two examples of saturated hydrocarbons are methane (CH4) and ethane (C2H6). Each carbon atom in a saturated hydrocarbon is bonded to four other atoms.