Question

match the chemical formula with the appropriate model.
methane (ch₄)
methanol (ch₃oh)
ethane (c₂h₆)
propane (c₃h₈)

Explanation:

To solve this problem, we analyze the molecular structure of each compound:

Methane ($\boldsymbol{CH_4}$)

Methane has 1 carbon atom bonded to 4 hydrogen atoms. The second model (black sphere with 4 smaller spheres) matches this structure (1 central C, 4 H).

Methanol ($\boldsymbol{CH_3OH}$)

Methanol has 1 carbon, 3 hydrogens, 1 oxygen, and 1 hydrogen bonded to oxygen. The fourth model (gray sphere with a red sphere and two small spheres) matches (C - $CH_3$, O - $OH$).

Ethane ($\boldsymbol{C_2H_6}$)

Ethane has 2 carbon atoms bonded to each other, with 3 hydrogens per carbon. The third model (two black spheres, each with hydrogens) matches (2 C atoms, 6 H atoms).

Propane ($\boldsymbol{C_3H_8}$)

Propane has 3 carbon atoms in a chain, with hydrogens attached. The first model (three black spheres in a chain, with hydrogens) matches (3 C atoms, 8 H atoms).

Final Matches:

• Methane ($CH_4$) → Second model
• Methanol ($CH_3OH$) → Fourth model
• Ethane ($C_2H_6$) → Third model
• Propane ($C_3H_8$) → First model

Answer:

To solve this problem, we analyze the molecular structure of each compound:

Methane ($\boldsymbol{CH_4}$)

Methane has 1 carbon atom bonded to 4 hydrogen atoms. The second model (black sphere with 4 smaller spheres) matches this structure (1 central C, 4 H).

Methanol ($\boldsymbol{CH_3OH}$)

Methanol has 1 carbon, 3 hydrogens, 1 oxygen, and 1 hydrogen bonded to oxygen. The fourth model (gray sphere with a red sphere and two small spheres) matches (C - $CH_3$, O - $OH$).

Ethane ($\boldsymbol{C_2H_6}$)

Ethane has 2 carbon atoms bonded to each other, with 3 hydrogens per carbon. The third model (two black spheres, each with hydrogens) matches (2 C atoms, 6 H atoms).

Propane ($\boldsymbol{C_3H_8}$)

Propane has 3 carbon atoms in a chain, with hydrogens attached. The first model (three black spheres in a chain, with hydrogens) matches (3 C atoms, 8 H atoms).

Final Matches:

• Methane ($CH_4$) → Second model
• Methanol ($CH_3OH$) → Fourth model
• Ethane ($C_2H_6$) → Third model
• Propane ($C_3H_8$) → First model