Question

The molecules of the alkene family are represented by a general formula C_nH_2n. Answer the following:

What is the structural formula of the third member of the alkene family?

Answer 1

The first member of the alkene family is ethene.

The molecular formula of ethene is C₂H₄.

The third member of the alkene family is butene.

∴ The molecular formula of the butene is C₄H₈.

Its structural formula is shown below:

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