A large saturated hydrocarbon will contain what relationship between hydrogen and carbon atoms?

In a large saturated hydrocarbon, the relationship between hydrogen and carbon atoms is characterized by the general formula ( C_nH_{2n+2} ). This formula indicates that for every carbon atom in a saturated hydrocarbon, there are typically two hydrogen atoms plus two additional hydrogen atoms. Thus, the number of hydrogen atoms is always greater than twice the number of carbon atoms because it follows the pattern of ( H ) being ( 2n + 2 ).

As an example, if there are 5 carbon atoms (where ( n = 5 )), you would calculate the hydrogen atoms as follows:

[ H = 2(5) + 2 = 10 + 2 = 12. ]

This shows that there are 12 hydrogen atoms for 5 carbon atoms, which is indeed more than twice the number of carbon atoms. Therefore, the chosen answer correctly reflects the relationship seen in saturated hydrocarbons, confirming that they possess a ratio where the number of hydrogen atoms exceeds twice that of the carbon atoms.