Carbon and Its Compounds — Important Questions

CH4

Step 1: Methane is the simplest alkane with only one carbon atom. Step 2: Since carbon needs 4 bonds to complete its octet, it bonds with 4 hydrogen atoms. Step 3: This gives the molecular formula CH4. Step 4: Methane is the main component of natural gas and is produced in marshy areas. C2H6 is ethane, C2H4 is ethene, CO2 is carbon dioxide.

It has free electrons that can move

Step 1: In graphite, each carbon atom is bonded to only 3 other carbon atoms in a hexagonal arrangement. Step 2: This means one electron per carbon atom remains unbonded (free). Step 3: These free electrons can move between the layers of graphite structure. Step 4: Moving electrons constitute electric current, making graphite conductive. Diamond has all electrons bonded so no free electrons, hardness doesn't affect conductivity, and carbon forms covalent bonds not ionic.

Carbon dioxide

Step 1: During fermentation, glucose is broken down by yeast enzymes in the absence of oxygen. Step 2: The reaction is: C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2. Step 3: Carbon dioxide gas is released as a byproduct along with ethanol. Step 4: This CO2 causes bread to rise and creates bubbles in alcoholic beverages. Oxygen is consumed not produced, nitrogen is inert in this process, hydrogen is not a major product of fermentation.

Ethanol

Step 1: Count the carbon atoms in the chain - there are 2 carbon atoms (CH3-CH2). Step 2: The word root for 2 carbons is 'eth'. Step 3: The functional group is -OH (alcohol), so suffix is '-ol'. Step 4: Combining: eth + an + ol = ethanol. Methanol has 1 carbon (CH3OH), propanol has 3 carbons, butanol has 4 carbons.