Arrange the following hydrocarbons in increasing order of the number of carbon atoms in one molecule:
1. Propane
2. Methane
3. Pentane
4. Ethane
5. Butane
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → 2, 4, 1, 5, 3
In the names of these hydrocarbons (alkanes), the first part tells the number of carbon atoms:
2. Methane — CH4: 1 carbon atom.
4. Ethane — C2H6: 2 carbon atoms.
1. Propane — C3H8: 3 carbon atoms.
5. Butane — C4H10: 4 carbon atoms.
3. Pentane — C5H12: 5 carbon atoms.