If an alkane has seven carbon atoms, its molecular formula is which?

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Multiple Choice

If an alkane has seven carbon atoms, its molecular formula is which?

Explanation:
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with only single bonds, so their formula follows CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms. If there are seven carbons, the hydrogen count is 2×7 + 2 = 16, giving the formula C7H16. The other options don’t fit because C7H14 would indicate fewer hydrogens due to a multiple bond or a ring (CnH2n), C7H20 would exceed the maximum hydrogens for seven carbons in an alkane, and C6H14 has one fewer carbon.

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with only single bonds, so their formula follows CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms. If there are seven carbons, the hydrogen count is 2×7 + 2 = 16, giving the formula C7H16. The other options don’t fit because C7H14 would indicate fewer hydrogens due to a multiple bond or a ring (CnH2n), C7H20 would exceed the maximum hydrogens for seven carbons in an alkane, and C6H14 has one fewer carbon.

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