Nomenclature and Isomerism\n\nHydrocarbons are classified into different families based on their bonding. In the context of alkanes, the simplest method of naming hydrocarbons follows the IUPAC system. The nomenclature for alkanes involves identifying the longest carbon chain and substituents, leading to unique names. For example, butane can exist as n-butane or isobutane (2-methylpropane) due to branching.\n\nIsomerism plays a critical role in organic chemistry, particularly structural isomerism. This section highlights how alkanes can exist as multiple isomers with the same molecular formula but varying structures. For instance, C4H10 can be represented as both n-butane and isobutane. The complexity increases with higher alkanes, where additional branching leads to exponentially more isomers. Understanding these concepts is essential for differentiating between compounds in organic synthesis and reactivity.