Alkane

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An alkane is one of the four main types of hydrocarbons. Alkanes are true hydrocarbons, meaning they are made up of nothing but hydrogen and carbon.[1]

Alkanes are based on the formula <m>C_nH_{2n+2}</m>.

  • <m>C</m> is Carbon.
  • <m>H</m> is Hydrogen.
  • <m>n</m> refers to the number of molecules.

Many fossil fuels like methane (<m>CH_4</m>), ethane (<m>C_2 H_6</m>), propane (<m>C_3 H_8</m>), butane (<m>C_4 H_{10}</m>) and octane (<m>C_8 H_{18}</m>) are alkanes.

To learn more about alkanes, click here.


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