SolutionsCarbon
1. Carbon chains
Methane is CH4, ethane C2H6 and propane C3H8. Write the formula of butane and the general formula of these hydrocarbons.
Butane: C4H10 (CH3CH2CH2CH3). General formula: CnH2n+2.
2. Why carbon?
Which features of carbon allow it to form a huge number of molecules?
It forms four covalent bonds; C–C bonds are strong, so it can bond to itself in chains and rings; and its intermediate electronegativity allows it to share electrons with many other elements (H, O, N, S, halogens...).