Question

With reference to butane, explain the following term:

Structural formula

Answer 1

A structural formula is a formula which shows how the atoms are arranged and bonded to one another in a molecule. For butane (C₄H₁₀), the structural formula is \[\ce{CH3 - CH2 - CH2 - CH3}\]. It shows that the four carbon atoms are joined in a straight chain, with hydrogen atoms attached to complete the valency of each carbon.