If a hydrocarbon has eight carbon atoms, what prefix would it have?

The correct prefix for a hydrocarbon with eight carbon atoms is "oct-." Prefixes in organic chemistry are derived from the number of carbon atoms present in the longest continuous chain of the molecule. Each prefix corresponds to a specific number of carbon atoms:

• "Hex-" indicates six carbon atoms.

• "Hept-" signifies seven carbon atoms.

• "Pent-" is used for five carbon atoms.

Since the question specifically asks for a hydrocarbon containing eight carbon atoms, the appropriate prefix is "oct-," which explicitly denotes the presence of eight carbon atoms in the molecule. This standardized nomenclature is crucial for accurately identifying and communicating the structure of various organic compounds.