Question

storyline 1 exam
the formula for a molecule of ethane (c₂h₆) is a combination of two ch₃ molecules. how many atom(s) of hydrogen and carbon does an ethane molecule have?
○ six atoms of hydrogen and two atoms of carbon
○ three atoms of hydrogen and six atoms of carbon
○ four atoms of hydrogen and twelve atoms of carbon
○ three atoms of hydrogen and one atom of carbon

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the formula of ethane

The formula of ethane is \(C_2H_6\). In a chemical formula, the sub - script number indicates the number of atoms of each element. For the carbon (\(C\)) part, the sub - script is \(2\), which means there are \(2\) carbon atoms. For the hydrogen (\(H\)) part, the sub - script is \(6\), which means there are \(6\) hydrogen atoms.

Step2: Check the options

• Option 1: Six atoms of hydrogen (\(H\)) and two atoms of carbon (\(C\)) matches the sub - scripts in the formula \(C_2H_6\).
• Option 2: Three atoms of hydrogen and six atoms of carbon does not match \(C_2H_6\).
• Option 3: Four atoms of hydrogen and twelve atoms of carbon does not match \(C_2H_6\).
• Option 4: Three atoms of hydrogen and one atom of carbon does not match \(C_2H_6\).

Answer:

Six atoms of hydrogen and two atoms of carbon.