Question

How many carbon atoms are in each compound?

Answer 1

Answer:

Methane -1,Ethene 2 , Ethane 2,Pentane 5,Propene 3,Hexane 6,Ethyne 2,Propane 3,Octane 8,Heptane 7 Decane 10,Butyne 4,Butane 4,Propyne 3,Butene 4

Answer 2

Answer:

Methane: 1

Ethane: 2

Ethene: 2

Pentane: 5

Propene: 3

Hexane: 6

Ethyne: 2

Propane: 3

Hexane: 7

Octane: 8

Decane: 10

Butyne: 4

Butane: 4

Propyne: 3

Butene: 4

Explanation:

Use the chemical formula of the compounds:

Methane ⇒ $CO_4$             Hexane ⇒ $C_6H_14$        Decane ⇒  $C_10H_22$

Ethane ⇒ $C_2H_6$                Ethyne ⇒ $C_2H_2$          Butyne ⇒ $C_4H_6$

Ethene ⇒ $C_2H_4$             Propane ⇒ $C_3H_8$         Butane ⇒ $C_4H_10$

Pentane ⇒ $C_5H_12$             Hexane ⇒ $C_7H_16$      Propyne ⇒ $C_3H_4$

Propene ⇒ $C_3H_6$           Octane ⇒ $C_8H_18$            Butene ⇒ $C_4H_8$

In the chemical formulas above, each formula has things known as coefficients (elements) and subscripts (atoms).

So to further explain, take methane as an example, there is a "C" at the beginning. C is capital as it is a pure substance and is a element. This also means there is 1 carbon atom in methane while there is 4 oxygen atoms. But to explain further, let's review definitions:

What is a compound in chemistry

A pure substance composed of two or more elements composed of two or more elements.

What is a pure substance in chemistry

A pure substance is a single element or compound, not mixed with any other substance

What is a element in chemistry

One of a class of substances that cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means.

What is a chemical formula (Alternative name for molecular formula)

A chemical formula that indicates the kinds of atoms and the number of each kind in a molecule of a compound.

So after reviewing let's find the carbon atoms.

The subscripts in each chemical formula that are to the right to the "C" are the amount of carbon atoms. If a capital letter does not have a subscript, it is assumed to have 1 atom only.

Your answers can be found above.