Textbook Question
(a) What is meant by the term isomer?
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Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement140
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions192
- Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry172
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution156
- Ch.5 - Thermochemistry151
- Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms137
- Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements127
- Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding143
- Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories167
- Ch.10 - Gases147
- Ch.11 - Liquids and Intermolecular Forces97
- Ch.12 - Solids and Modern Materials129
- Ch.13 - Properties of Solutions126
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics175
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium107
- Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria127
- Ch.17 - Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria133
- Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment88
- Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics140
- Ch.20 - Electrochemistry137
- Ch.21 - Nuclear Chemistry99
- Ch.22 - Chemistry of the Nonmetals66
- Ch.23 - Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry69
- Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry11
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 2, Problem 81b2
(b) Pentane is the alkane with a chain of five carbon atoms. Determine its molecular formula.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the general formula for alkanes, which is C_nH_{2n+2}.
Recognize that pentane has a chain of five carbon atoms, so n = 5.
Substitute n = 5 into the general formula: C_5H_{2(5)+2}.
Calculate the number of hydrogen atoms: 2(5) + 2 = 12.
Write the molecular formula for pentane as C_5H_{12}.
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Alkanes
Alkanes are a class of hydrocarbons characterized by single bonds between carbon atoms. They follow the general formula CnH2n+2, where 'n' represents the number of carbon atoms. This structure results in saturated compounds, meaning they contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible for a given number of carbon atoms.
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01:20
Naming Alkanes Example
Molecular Formula
The molecular formula of a compound indicates the number and types of atoms present in a molecule. For alkanes, the molecular formula can be derived from the number of carbon atoms in the chain. For pentane, which has five carbon atoms, the molecular formula can be calculated using the formula CnH2n+2.
Carbon Chain Length
The length of the carbon chain in alkanes directly influences their molecular formula and properties. In the case of pentane, the chain consists of five carbon atoms, which determines the specific arrangement and number of hydrogen atoms. Understanding the relationship between chain length and molecular formula is essential for identifying and naming alkanes.
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03:483 and 4 Carbon Alkyls
Related Practice
Textbook Question
(a) What is a functional group?
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Textbook Question
(b) Among the four alkanes, ethane, propane, butane, and pentane, which is capable of existing in isomeric forms?
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Textbook Question
(a) What is a hydrocarbon?
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Textbook Question
Write the chemical formula for each substance mentioned in the following word descriptions (use the front inside cover to find the symbols for the elements you do not know). (b) On treatment with hydrofluoric acid, silicon dioxide forms silicon tetrafluoride and water. (use the front inside cover to find the symbols for the elements you do not know). (c) Sulfur dioxide reacts with water to form sulfurous acid. (use the front inside cover to find the symbols for the elements you do not know). (d) The substance phosphorus trihydride, commonly called phosphine, is a toxic gas. (e) Perchloric acid reacts with cadmium to form cadmium(II) perchlorate.
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Textbook Question
Assume that you encounter the following sentences in your reading. What is the chemical formula for each substance mentioned? (c) Hydrogen cyanide is a very poisonous gas.
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