Which compound has the formula C2H4?

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Study for the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which compound has the formula C2H4?

Explanation:
A formula with two carbons and four hydrogens points to a hydrocarbon that is unsaturated, specifically an alkene. To see why, note that the saturated two-carbon alkane would be ethane with C2H6. Reducing the number of hydrogens to four requires a double bond between the carbons, giving C2H4, which is ethene (the simplest alkene). The other options don’t fit: a compound with three or four carbons would have more than two carbons, and a two-carbon compound with only two hydrogens would be ethyne, not C2H4. So the correct compound is ethene.

A formula with two carbons and four hydrogens points to a hydrocarbon that is unsaturated, specifically an alkene. To see why, note that the saturated two-carbon alkane would be ethane with C2H6. Reducing the number of hydrogens to four requires a double bond between the carbons, giving C2H4, which is ethene (the simplest alkene). The other options don’t fit: a compound with three or four carbons would have more than two carbons, and a two-carbon compound with only two hydrogens would be ethyne, not C2H4. So the correct compound is ethene.

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