Question

A hydrocarbon has molecular formula C3H8. Identify the class of hydrocarbons it belongs to.

Answer 1

It would belong to the group known as the Alkane which have the general form $C_{n} H_{2n + 2}$

Answer 2

Answer:

Alkanes

Explanation:

There are 3 classes of hydrocarbons based on the on the presence of single, double and triple bond present in them. These classes are mentioned as under:

1) alkanes

2)alkenes

3)alkynes

Alkanes are the hydrocarbons which are compounds of carbon and hydrogen bonded by single bond. Their general formula is CnH2n+2 that means if in an alkane n = 3 then it will have 3 carbon and 2n+2 = 8 hydrogen molecules.

Alkenes are the hydrocarbons which are compounds of carbon and hydrogen bonded by double bond. Their general formula is CnH2n.

Alkynes are the hydrocarbons which are compounds of carbon and hydrogen bonded by triple bond. Their general formula is CnH2n-2.

As explained above, the given hydrocarbon is an alkane because its chemical formula is C3H8 which satisfies the condition for formula CnH2n+2 which is valid for alkanes.