What is the molecular formula for ethane?

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Multiple Choice

What is the molecular formula for ethane?

Explanation:
Ethane is an alkane with two carbon atoms, and alkanes follow the formula CnH2n+2 because they are saturated with single bonds. With two carbons (n = 2), the hydrogen count is 2×2 + 2 = 6, giving the molecular formula C2H6. So ethane has two carbons and six hydrogens. The other options have the wrong number of carbons: one carbon would be CH4 (methane), three carbons would be C3H8 (propane), and five carbons would be C5H12 (pentane).

Ethane is an alkane with two carbon atoms, and alkanes follow the formula CnH2n+2 because they are saturated with single bonds. With two carbons (n = 2), the hydrogen count is 2×2 + 2 = 6, giving the molecular formula C2H6. So ethane has two carbons and six hydrogens. The other options have the wrong number of carbons: one carbon would be CH4 (methane), three carbons would be C3H8 (propane), and five carbons would be C5H12 (pentane).

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