What is the chemical formula for acetylene?

The chemical formula for acetylene is indeed C2H2. This compound is an alkyne, which is characterized by the presence of a triple bond between two carbon atoms. In acetylene, each carbon atom is bonded to one hydrogen atom, resulting in the simple formula of two carbon atoms and two hydrogen atoms.

The molecular structure of acetylene is linear due to the triple bond, and it is commonly used as a fuel and a building block in the synthesis of various organic compounds. Understanding the structure and properties of acetylene is important in fields such as chemistry and industrial applications, particularly in welding and cutting processes where it serves as a high-temperature flame source.

Other chemical formulas listed correspond to different hydrocarbons: C3H8 is propane, C4H10 is butane, and C2H6 is ethane. Each of these compounds has distinct properties and applications, but they do not contain the triple bond characteristic of acetylene and differ in the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms, which define their respective identities.