Question

Which of these is a saturated hydrocarbon?

• A. Ethane
• B. Ethene
• C. Ethyne
• D. Benzene Correct Answer: (A) Ethane Solution:

Hint:

Remember: \[ \text{Alkanes} \rightarrow \text{Saturated} \] \[ \text{Alkenes and Alkynes} \rightarrow \text{Unsaturated} \] Ethane is an alkane and therefore saturated.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Hydrocarbons are compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms. They are classified as:

• Saturated hydrocarbons: Contain only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms.

• Unsaturated hydrocarbons: Contain one or more double or triple bonds.
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons.

Step 1: Examine each option. \[ \text{Ethane} = C_2H_6 \] Ethane contains only single bonds. \[ \text{Ethene} = C_2H_4 \] Ethene contains a carbon-carbon double bond. \[ \text{Ethyne} = C_2H_2 \] Ethyne contains a carbon-carbon triple bond. \[ \text{Benzene} = C_6H_6 \] Benzene contains alternating double bonds in a ring structure.

Step 2: Identify the saturated hydrocarbon. Among the given compounds, only ethane has all single bonds. Therefore, it is a saturated hydrocarbon. \[ \boxed{\text{Ethane}} \]

Step 3: Conclude the answer. Hence, the correct option is \(\boxed{(A)}\).