What is the displayed formula for pentane?

The displayed formula for pentane is indeed represented by the molecular formula C5H12. Pentane is an alkane, which means it is a saturated hydrocarbon that consists only of carbon and hydrogen atoms connected by single bonds.

In the molecular formula C5H12, the "C5" indicates that there are five carbon atoms, and "H12" signifies twelve hydrogen atoms attached to these carbon atoms. This ratio reflects the general formula for alkanes, which is CnH2n+2, where "n" is the number of carbon atoms. For pentane, when n equals 5, you get C5H(2*5+2) = C5H12, confirming that this formula accurately represents pentane.

The other options do not correspond to pentane, as they represent different hydrocarbons with fewer carbon atoms and hence different properties. For example, CH4 is methane (one carbon), C4H10 is butane (four carbons), and C3H8 is propane (three carbons). Each of these has a distinct structure and set of characteristics that differ from pentane, highlighting the importance of the number of carbon atoms in determining the identity of the compound.