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Which of the following hydrocarbons has the lowest carbon content?
Asphalt
Bitumen
Tar
Methane
Methane
Methane (CH4тАЛ) has the lowest carbon content among the given options because it is the simplest hydrocarbon with a single carbon atom. Bitumen, asphalt, and tar are complex mixtures of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, resulting in a much higher carbon-to-hydrogen ratio.
Methane (CH4тАЛ) has the lowest carbon content among the given options because it is the simplest hydrocarbon with a single carbon atom. Bitumen, asphalt, and tar are complex mixtures of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, resulting in a much higher carbon-to-hydrogen ratio.
Carbon┬аContentтИЭMolecular┬аComplexity
Percentage┬аof┬аCarbon┬аin┬аMethane=Molecular┬аMass┬аof┬аCH4тАЛAtomic┬аMass┬аof┬аCтАЛ├Ч100=12+4(1)12тАЛ├Ч100=75%
Hydrocarbon complexity is determined by the number of carbon atoms in the molecular structure. Methane contains only one carbon atom (C1тАЛH4тАЛ), whereas bituminous materials consist of long-chain and cyclic compounds with high carbon percentages, often exceeding 80% to 90%.
Methane is the primary component of natural gas.
Bitumen, asphalt, and tar are residues of petroleum distillation or coal processing containing heavy aromatic compounds.
Higher carbon content in hydrocarbons generally leads to increased density and viscosity.
The elemental composition of bitumen typically ranges from 80-88%┬аCarbon and 8-11%┬аHydrogen.
Methane acts as a clean-burning fuel compared to heavy hydrocarbons.
Bituminous materials provide excellent waterproofing and binding properties for pavement.
Heavy hydrocarbons like tar and bitumen cause significant environmental pollution during processing.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas if released directly into the atmosphere.
Methane: Domestic and industrial fuel.
Bitumen: Road construction and roofing.
Asphalt, Bitumen, and Tar are all heavy, complex, high-carbon bituminous substances.
In competitive exams, remember that as molecular weight increases, the carbon-to-hydrogen ratio typically increases.
D is correct тАФ Methane (CH4тАЛ) contains only one carbon atom and possesses the lowest carbon content compared to the complex, long-chain heavy hydrocarbons found in asphalt, bitumen, and tar.
When analyzing engineering materials, always distinguish between pure alkanes like methane and complex mixtures like bitumen or coal tar which are multi-component industrial byproducts.