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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes a characteristic of alkanes in organic chemistry?
A
Alkanes are hydrocarbons that contain triple bonds.
B
Alkanes are hydrocarbons that contain double bonds.
C
Alkanes are hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds.
D
Alkanes are hydrocarbons that contain aromatic rings.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the definition of alkanes: Alkanes are a class of hydrocarbons, which are compounds made up entirely of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms.
Recognize the bonding in alkanes: Alkanes are characterized by having only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms. This means each carbon atom forms four single bonds, either with hydrogen atoms or other carbon atoms.
Differentiate from other hydrocarbons: Alkenes and alkynes are other types of hydrocarbons. Alkenes contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond, while alkynes contain at least one carbon-carbon triple bond.
Identify the incorrect statements: The options mentioning triple bonds, double bonds, or aromatic rings do not describe alkanes. Aromatic rings are a feature of aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, not alkanes.
Conclude with the correct characteristic: The statement 'Alkanes are hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds' correctly describes alkanes, as they are saturated hydrocarbons with only single bonds.