What is the general formula of an alkane?

The general formula for alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons, is CnH2n+2. This formula indicates that for every 'n' carbon atoms in an alkane molecule, there are '2n+2' hydrogen atoms.

Alkanes are characterized by having single bonds between carbon atoms, which allows them to be fully saturated with hydrogen. This saturation is crucial because it determines the chemical properties of alkanes, such as their stability and reactivity compared to unsaturated hydrocarbons like alkenes and alkynes, which have double or triple bonds, respectively.

When considering the formula, if you start with a single carbon (n=1), you can see that C1 would yield H(2*1+2) = H4, which corresponds to methane (CH4). As you increase the number of carbon atoms, the pattern continues, showcasing that alkanes consistently follow this formula throughout the series. Thus, this consistent ratio of hydrogen to carbon atoms is key to identifying alkanes within organic chemistry.