Chemistry 2005 JAMB Past Questions - Question 16: How many hydrogen atoms does a single ring cycloalkane have less than the corresponding open-chain alkane?

Correct Answer

A

Explanation

For a single-ring cycloalkane compared to the corresponding open-chain alkane, each carbon atom in the ring contributes one hydrogen atom less than it would in the open-chain alkane. This is because each carbon in the ring is bonded to two other carbons and one hydrogen, while each carbon in the open-chain alkane is bonded to three other hydrogens.

The general formula for an alkane is CₙH₂ₙ₊₂, where n is the number of carbon atoms. In a cycloalkane with a single ring, the general formula is CₙH₂ₙ. Therefore, the difference in the number of hydrogen atoms is 2 for each carbon in the ring.