To determine which of the given chemical formulas is a hydrocarbon, we need to know that a hydrocarbon is a compound composed entirely of hydrogen (H) and carbon (C) atoms. Let's analyze each of the given chemical formulas:
1. CH[tex]\(_3\)[/tex]OH:
- Components: C (carbon), H (hydrogen), and O (oxygen)
- Presence of oxygen means it is not a hydrocarbon.
2. HCOOH:
- Components: C (carbon), H (hydrogen), and O (oxygen)
- Presence of oxygen means it is not a hydrocarbon.
3. CH[tex]\(_4\)[/tex]:
- Components: C (carbon) and H (hydrogen) only
- Contains only carbon and hydrogen, so this is a hydrocarbon.
4. CH[tex]\(_2\)[/tex]O:
- Components: C (carbon), H (hydrogen), and O (oxygen)
- Presence of oxygen means it is not a hydrocarbon.
After analyzing all the formulas, we find that the only formula that represents a hydrocarbon is CH[tex]\(_4\)[/tex]. Therefore, the third formula (CH[tex]\(_4\)[/tex]) is the answer.
