Question

The molecular formula of an organic compound is ${C_3}{H_8}$ . Which compound belongs to the same class of hydrocarbons?
(A) ${C_2}{H_6}$
(B) ${C_3}{H_6}$
(C) ${C_4}{H_8}$
(D) ${C_2}{H_2}$
(E) $C{H_4}$

Answer 1

Hint : Hydrocarbons are a class of organic compounds that are composed of Carbon and Hydrogen. Hydrocarbons occur naturally originating from plants and animals fossils that have been formed over the millennia due to the forces temperature and other natural forces and form the basis of crude-oil, natural gas, coal and other energy sources. They can also be highly combustible and can produce carbon dioxide, water and heat when burned.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
We can find out which particular organic compound belongs to which hydrocarbon by using the empirical formula of hydrocarbon. We know the empirical formula of the alkane group is ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$ .
Now let’s substitute ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$ on the given options and see which hydrocarbon belongs to the same class of hydrocarbon as ${C_3}{H_8}$ .
For ${C_3}{H_8}$ , ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$ $=$ ${C_3}{H_{2 \times 3 + 2}} = {C_3}{H_8}$ .
For ${C_2}{H_6}$ , ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$ $=$ ${C_2}{H_{2 \times 2 + 2}} = {C_2}{H_6}$ .
For ${C_3}{H_6}$ , ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$ $=$ ${C_3}{H_{2 \times 3 + 2}} = {C_3}{H_8}$ .
For ${C_4}{H_8}$ , ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$ = ${C_4}{H_{2 \times 4 + 2}} = {C_4}{H_{10}}$ .
For ${C_2}{H_2}$ , ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$ $=$ ${C_2}{H_{2 \times 2 + 2}} = {C_2}{H_6}$ .
For $C{H_4}$ , ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$ $=$ ${C_1}{H_{2 \times 1 + 2}} = C{H_4}$ .
Now, we can clearly see that ${C_2}{H_6}$ and $C{H_4}$ belongs to the same class of hydrocarbon as ${C_3}{H_8}$ .
Therefore, options (A) ${C_2}{H_6}$ and option (E) $C{H_4}$ belongs to the same class of hydrocarbons as ${C_3}{H_8}$ .

Note :
Hydrocarbons are divided into three main groups depending on the bonds they form: alkanes, alkenes and alkynes. Alkanes are the ones that contain single bonds, alkenes with double bonds and alkynes with triple bonds.
Hydrocarbons can be extracted using different techniques, depending on the type and location. One of the techniques is hydraulic fracturing or fracking. It is used to extract natural gas from shale rock by using pressurized fracking fluid. This creates fissures through which the gas can escape and reach the surface.