What is the general formula for alkanes?

Alkanes are a class of hydrocarbons characterized by their single bonds between carbon atoms. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2, where "n" represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. This formula indicates that for each carbon atom (C), there are twice as many hydrogen atoms (H) required, plus an additional two hydrogen atoms to account for the tetrahedral geometry of sp3 hybridized carbon atoms in alkanes.

This leads to a saturated compound, meaning that alkanes have the maximum number of hydrogen atoms bonded to their carbon skeleton, giving them stability and the characteristic properties of this family of hydrocarbons. The presence of only single bonds differentiates alkanes from other families of hydrocarbons, such as alkenes and alkynes, which have double and triple bonds, respectively, affecting their hydrogen atom counts and reactivity.

Therefore, the formula CnH2n+2 is essential for identifying and understanding alkanes in organic chemistry.