Chemistry: Alkane names

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What is this mystery molecule. How do we figure out the names of alkanes like the one above?

Simply count the number of carbon atoms in a row.

Here are the names from 1 - 10

Meth - 1
Eth -2
Prop - 3 (as in propane)
But - 4 (as in butane)
Pent -5
Hex - 6
Hept - 7
Oct - 8
Non - 9
Dec -10

It has 8 carbon atoms so go to 8 that's "oct". All alkanes end in "ane" so the molecule is octane.

Or think of it this way: just take the "alk" out of alkane and replace it with "oct" to get octane.

Sources: Wkipedia
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