The molecular formula of the hydrocarbon is C₄H₁₀. This means that the hydrocarbon contains 4 carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms. To determine the number of covalent bonds in the hydrocarbon, we need to calculate the total number of valence electrons.
Calculating the valence electrons:
- Carbon has 4 valence electrons, and there are 4 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon. So, the total number of valence electrons from carbon is 4 * 4 = 16.
- Hydrogen has 1 valence electron, and there are 10 hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon. So, the total number of valence electrons from hydrogen is 1 * 10 = 10.
Total valence electrons:
The total number of valence electrons in the hydrocarbon is 16 + 10 = 26.
Calculating the number of covalent bonds:
In a covalent bond, two atoms share a pair of electrons. Each covalent bond contributes 2 electrons.
- The hydrocarbon contains 26 valence electrons.
- Each covalent bond contributes 2 electrons.
- Therefore, the number of covalent bonds is 26 / 2 = 13.
Conclusion:
The hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C₄H₁₀ has 13 covalent bonds. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

The molecular formula C4H10 represents a hydrocarbon molecule. To determine the number of covalent bonds in the molecule, we need to consider the structure of the molecule.

Structure of C4H10:
The molecular formula C4H10 suggests that there are 4 carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms in the molecule. To form a hydrocarbon with this formula, the carbons must be connected in a chain, and each carbon must have the maximum number of hydrogen atoms bonded to it.

The possible structures for C4H10 are:

1. Straight Chain Structure:
In this structure, the four carbon atoms are arranged in a straight chain, and each carbon atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms. This structure is called butane. In butane, each carbon atom is connected to two other carbon atoms and three hydrogen atoms.
The number of covalent bonds in butane = 4 carbon-carbon bonds + 10 carbon-hydrogen bonds = 14 covalent bonds.

2. Branched Chain Structure:
In this structure, the four carbon atoms are arranged in a branched chain, and each carbon atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms. This structure is called isobutane. In isobutane, three carbon atoms are connected in a chain, and one carbon atom is connected to three hydrogen atoms.
The number of covalent bonds in isobutane = 3 carbon-carbon bonds + 9 carbon-hydrogen bonds = 12 covalent bonds.

3. Cyclical Structure:
In this structure, the four carbon atoms are arranged in a ring, and each carbon atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms. This structure is called cyclobutane. In cyclobutane, each carbon atom is connected to two other carbon atoms and two hydrogen atoms.
The number of covalent bonds in cyclobutane = 4 carbon-carbon bonds + 8 carbon-hydrogen bonds = 12 covalent bonds.

Based on the possible structures of C4H10, we can conclude that the correct answer is option 'A' - 13 covalent bonds.