A hydrocarbon consists of a benzene ring and two methyl groups. The methyl groups are located at opposite carbons and the molecule is perfectly symmetrical.

Question

A hydrocarbon consists of a benzene ring and two methyl groups. The methyl groups are located at opposite carbons and the molecule is perfectly symmetrical.

Which option correctly describes the numbers of the carbon atoms the methyl groups are bonded to?

2, 5

1, 2

2, 4

1, 4

I am very unsure of this one.

Answer 1

Start counting at either methyl group with 1, the next carbon will be 2, next will be 3 and the other methyl group will be 4 so it would be 1,4-dimethyl benzene; otherwise known as p-methyl benzene.

Answer 2

In a benzene ring, the carbon atoms are numbered consecutively from one to six. Since the methyl groups are located at opposite carbons, we need to determine the numbers of the carbon atoms the methyl groups are bonded to.

In this case, the correct option that describes the numbers of the carbon atoms the methyl groups are bonded to is "1, 4". Each methyl group is bonded to a different carbon atom in the benzene ring, specifically carbon 1 and carbon 4.

Answer 3

To determine the correct carbon atoms to which the methyl groups are bonded in a hydrocarbon with a benzene ring and two methyl groups, you can break down the problem into smaller steps.

Step 1: Identify the carbons on the benzene ring
In a benzene ring, the carbon atoms are numbered sequentially starting from one carbon to another. The carbons are usually numbered in a cyclic manner, where carbon 1 is adjacent to carbon 6.

Step 2: Locate the positions of the methyl groups
The statement mentions that the methyl groups are located at opposite carbons. This means that they are attached to different carbon atoms on the benzene ring.

Step 3: Find the positions of the methyl groups
Considering the carbon numbering from step 1, the options given are:

2, 5
1, 2
2, 4
1, 4

To determine the correct option, cross out the options that are not located at opposite carbons:

2, 5 - This option represents two carbons that are not adjacent and therefore cannot be opposite carbons.
2, 4 - This option represents two carbons that are adjacent and cannot be opposite carbons.

The remaining options are:

1, 2
1, 4

Step 4: Determine the final answer
Since the molecule is perfectly symmetrical, the two methyl groups should be attached to opposite carbons. Therefore, the correct answer is:

1, 4

So the numbers of the carbon atoms the methyl groups are bonded to in this hydrocarbon are 1 and 4.