Question

1. For each of the compounds: (î) ethane (ii) vinegar and (iii) marsh gas, draw the relevant structural formula.
2. What word is used to describe these three compounds taken together?

Answer 1

a. (i) Ethane:

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{........}\ce{H}\phantom{...}\ce{H}\phantom{........}\\
\phantom{....}|\phantom{....} \phantom{.}|\phantom{....}\\
\ce{H - C - C - H}\\
\phantom{....}|\phantom{....}\phantom{.}|\phantom{....}\\
\phantom{........}\ce{H}\phantom{....}\ce{H}\phantom{........}\\
\end{array}\]

(b) Vinegar:

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{............}\ce{H}\phantom{.........}\ce{O}\\
\phantom{...........}|\phantom{.......}//\\
\ce{H - C - C}\\
|\\
\phantom{...................}\ce{H}\phantom{}\phantom{....}\ce{O-H}\phantom{.......}\\
\end{array}\]

(c) Marsh gas:

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{H}\\
|\\
\ce{H - C - H}\\
|\\
\ce{H}\\
\end{array}\]

b. The three compounds taken together are known as organic compounds.