What would the molecule C7H16 (heptane) be classified as?Question 3Select one:a.inorganic compoundb.alkynec.alkaned.alkene

To classify the molecule C7H16, we first need to understand the structure and properties of different classes of organic compounds.

1. Identifying the Composition:

   • The formula C7H16 indicates that the molecule consists of 7 carbon atoms and 16 hydrogen atoms.

2. Classifying Organic Compounds:

   • In organic chemistry, hydrocarbons can be classified as follows:
     • Alkanes: Saturated hydrocarbons with only single bonds (general formula CnH2n+2).
     • Alkenes: Unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one double bond (general formula CnH2n).
     • Alkynes: Unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one triple bond (general formula CnH2n-2).
     • Inorganic Compounds: Compounds that generally do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds.

3. Determining the Correct Classification:

   • Using the formula C7H16, we can confirm it follows the general formula for alkanes:
     • For alkanes: $C_nH_{(2n+2)}$
     • Here, $n = 7$. Thus, $H = 2(7) + 2 = 16$.

Given this analysis, the correct classification for C7H16 is:

Final Answer:

c. alkane