What is the molecular formula for propane?

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Multiple Choice

What is the molecular formula for propane?

Explanation:
Propane is an alkane, a saturated hydrocarbon. Alkanes follow the formula CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms. For propane, n = 3, so the formula is C3H8. This exactly describes three carbons with eight hydrogens, which is why it’s the correct molecular formula. Other simple alkanes have different carbon counts—methane CH4 (1 carbon), ethane C2H6 (2 carbons), and butane C4H10 (4 carbons)—so they don’t match propane.

Propane is an alkane, a saturated hydrocarbon. Alkanes follow the formula CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms. For propane, n = 3, so the formula is C3H8. This exactly describes three carbons with eight hydrogens, which is why it’s the correct molecular formula. Other simple alkanes have different carbon counts—methane CH4 (1 carbon), ethane C2H6 (2 carbons), and butane C4H10 (4 carbons)—so they don’t match propane.

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