Answer
A straight chain alkane has the general formula:
$C_{n}H_{2n+2}$
By observing the structural formulas in part (a), we can say that they conform to the general formula of alkanes. For a 16 carbon alkane:
$C_{16}H_{2(16)+2} = C_{16}H_{34}$
For a 28 carbon chain:
$C_{28}H_{2(28)+2} = C_{28}H_{58}$
Work Step by Step
A straight chain alkane has the general formula:
$C_{n}H_{2n+2}$
By observing the structural formulas in part (a), we can say that they conform to the general formula of alkanes. For a 16 carbon alkane:
$C_{16}H_{2(16)+2} = C_{16}H_{34}$
For a 28 carbon chain:
$C_{28}H_{2(28)+2} = C_{28}H_{58}$
