What is the formula for alkanes?

The formula for alkanes is represented as CₙH₂ₙ₊₂. This reflects the general structure of alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms. In this formula, "n" represents the number of carbon atoms in the alkane molecule. Each alkane has two more hydrogen atoms than twice the number of carbon atoms, which is what gives alkanes their characteristic formula.

The saturation of alkanes means that all carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds, leading to a stable structure and making them relatively unreactive compared to unsaturated hydrocarbons. This uniqueness in molecular structure is what distinguishes alkanes from other categories of hydrocarbons, such as alkenes and alkynes, which possess double and triple bonds, respectively, resulting in different hydrogen-to-carbon ratios. The other formulas listed do not accurately capture the structure of alkanes; for instance, CₙH₂ₙ₊₁ and CₙH₂ₙ refer to other types of hydrocarbons such as certain radicals or functional groups, and CₙH₂ₙ₋₂ suggests a degree of unsaturation which is not found in alkanes.