Question

question 12
4 points
what does ch4 mean?
○ this is an inorganic molecule.
○ there is one carbon and four hydrogen atoms.
○ this was involved in a redox reaction.
○ there are four carbon and four hydrogen atoms.
clear selection

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of \( \text{CH}_4 \), we analyze each option:

• Option 1: \( \text{CH}_4 \) (methane) is an organic molecule, so this is incorrect.
• Option 2: In a chemical formula, the subscript (or lack thereof, implying 1) indicates the number of atoms. For \( \text{CH}_4 \), "C" has no subscript (so 1 carbon atom) and "H" has a subscript of 4 (so 4 hydrogen atoms). This matches the formula.
• Option 3: Just knowing the formula \( \text{CH}_4 \) doesn't tell us it was involved in a redox reaction; this is not a general meaning of the formula.
• Option 4: The formula \( \text{CH}_4 \) has 1 carbon (not 4) and 4 hydrogens, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

B. There is one carbon and four hydrogen atoms.