The general formula for the alkanes is C n H 2n+2 (where n is the number of carbon atoms in the molecule). The table shows four alkanes, their molecular formulae, displayed formulae and structural ...

For example the formula of ethane is C 2 H 6. The ratio of C:H atoms is 2:6. The empirical formula of an alkane is based on the simplest ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms: the simplest form of the ...