C4H10

Definition

C4H10 is the chemical formula for butane, a simple alkane hydrocarbon with four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms. Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, and they are the simplest organic molecules.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Butane (C4H10) is a colorless, odorless gas at room temperature and standard pressure, but it can be liquefied under pressure.
2. Butane is commonly used as a fuel for lighters, portable stoves, and as a propellant in aerosol cans.
3. Butane is an isomer of isobutane, which has the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of the carbon and hydrogen atoms.
4. Butane is a relatively unreactive alkane, but it can undergo combustion reactions when heated or ignited in the presence of oxygen.
5. The boiling point of butane is -0.5°C, making it a gas at room temperature, while the melting point is -138.3°C.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of the chemical formula C4H10 in the context of hydrocarbons.
  • The chemical formula C4H10 represents the alkane hydrocarbon known as butane. Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, and they are the simplest organic molecules. The formula C4H10 indicates that butane has four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms, with the general formula CnH2n+2 for alkanes. This specific arrangement of carbon and hydrogen atoms gives butane its unique physical and chemical properties, such as its gaseous state at room temperature and its use as a fuel.
• Describe the role of isomers in the context of the hydrocarbon C4H10.
  • Butane (C4H10) has an isomer called isobutane, which also has the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of the carbon and hydrogen atoms. Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different spatial arrangements of the atoms, resulting in different properties. In the case of C4H10, the two possible isomers, butane and isobutane, have distinct physical and chemical characteristics, such as different boiling points and combustion behaviors. Understanding isomers is crucial in the study of hydrocarbons, as it helps explain the diversity of compounds with the same molecular composition.
• Analyze the significance of the combustion reaction involving the hydrocarbon C4H10.
  • The combustion of the hydrocarbon C4H10, or butane, is an important reaction in the context of hydrocarbons. Combustion is a chemical reaction that occurs when a fuel, such as butane, reacts with oxygen to release energy in the form of heat and light. This reaction is crucial for the use of butane as a fuel in various applications, such as lighters, portable stoves, and as a propellant in aerosol cans. The ability of butane to undergo combustion reactions is a direct consequence of its chemical structure and the presence of carbon-hydrogen bonds, which can be broken and rearranged to form new compounds like carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy in the process. Understanding the combustion of hydrocarbons like C4H10 is essential for understanding their practical applications and environmental impact.

Related terms

Alkane: A saturated hydrocarbon with the general formula CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms. Alkanes have only single bonds between carbon atoms.

Isomer: Molecules with the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms in space, resulting in different properties.

Combustion:

A chemical reaction that occurs when a fuel, such as butane, reacts with oxygen to release energy in the form of heat and light.