Watter EEN van die formules hieronder verteenwoord 'n ALKAAN? A) C₄H₁₀ B) C₅H₁₂ C) C₁₄H₃₀ D) C₈H₁₄ - NSC Physical Sciences - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 2

In organic chemistry, an alkane is a saturated hydrocarbon containing only single bonds. To identify the alkane among the given options, we need to examine the general formula for alkanes, which is CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.

1. Option A: C₄H₁₀

   • Here, n = 4.

   • Following the formula:

     $C₄H₁₀ = C₄H_{2(4)+2} = C₄H_{10}$

   • This fits the alkane formula, so A is a valid alkane.

2. Option B: C₅H₁₂

   • Here, n = 5.

   • Following the formula:

     $C₅H₁₂ = C₅H_{2(5)+2} = C₅H_{12}$

   • This fits the alkane formula, so B is also a valid alkane.

3. Option C: C₁₄H₃₀

   • Here, n = 14.

   • Following the formula:

     $C₁₄H₃₀ = C_{14}H_{2(14)+2} = C_{14}H_{30}$

   • This also fits, so C is an alkane as well.

4. Option D: C₈H₁₄

   • Here, n = 8.

   • Following the formula:

     $C₈H₁₄ = C_{8}H_{2(8)+2} = C_{8}H_{18}$

   • This does not fit the alkane formula, so D is not an alkane.

In conclusion, both A, B, and C are representative of alkanes, but since the question specifically asks for one option, we will choose the first correct option listed, which is A.