Which compound has the formula of C4H10?

Study for the ALEKS Placement Chemistry Exam. Review flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your chemistry exam!

The compound with the formula C4H10 is butane. Butane is an alkane, which is a type of hydrocarbon that contains only single bonds between carbon atoms. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms.

In the case of butane, with four carbon atoms (n=4), we can substitute n into the formula: C4H2(4)+2 = C4H10. This confirms that butane indeed has the molecular formula C4H10.

Butane is a colorless gas at room temperature and is commonly used as a fuel in lighters and portable stoves, as well as in the petrochemical industry. Understanding the structure and molecular formula of alkanes is fundamental in organic chemistry, and recognizing butane's specific formula helps differentiate it from other hydrocarbons, such as propane (C3H8), octane (C8H18), and pentane (C5H12), which have different numbers of carbon atoms and, therefore, different formulas and properties.

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