What does C10 stand for?
The term C10 carries several meanings depending on context. In everyday usage, it most often points to decane, a ten-carbon alkane; it also refers to the Chevrolet C10 pickup truck and to the Class 10 speed rating seen on SD cards. There are additional specialized uses in chemistry and chromatography as well.
Below is a concise guide to the main meanings of C10 across science, technology, and everyday life, with brief explanations to help you identify which sense is meant in a given situation.
Chemistry and molecular context
In chemistry, C10 denotes ten carbon atoms in a molecule. The best-known example is decane, with the formula C10H22, a straight-chain alkane used as a reference fuel and solvent. More broadly, C10 can describe any molecule containing ten carbons, and it appears in discussions of hydrocarbon fractions in crude oil (for example, C10–C12 denotes hydrocarbons with roughly ten to twelve carbons).
Here are some specific uses you might encounter:
- Decane and ten-carbon molecules: C10 is used to signify ten carbon atoms in a molecule, with n-decane (a straight chain) represented as C10H22.
- C10 stationary phase in chromatography: In certain reversed-phase liquid chromatography columns, the bonded decyl (C10) group defines the column's chemistry and influences separation of nonpolar compounds.
- Light petroleum fractions: In fuel and refinery contexts, C10–C12 designations help describe light distillates and related hydrocarbon ranges.
The exact meaning of C10 in chemistry depends on the surrounding discussion, from pure molecular formula to practical fuel analysis.
Technology and consumer products
In technology and consumer gear, C10 most often appears in two familiar forms:
- SD card speed class: Class 10, abbreviated as C10, indicates a minimum sustained write speed of 10 MB/s for SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards. This rating is important for video capture and other data-intensive tasks.
- Chevrolet C10 pickup: The C10 is a famous model in Chevrolet’s C/K pickup line, representing a half-ton truck widely produced and celebrated in the 1960s–1980s.
Context usually makes clear whether C10 refers to a memory card spec or a classic vehicle.
Other uses and context notes
Beyond the two main families above, C10 can appear in niche contexts such as chromatography nomenclature (as noted under chemistry) or as part of product and model codes in various industries. When you encounter C10, check nearby terms to determine whether it’s signaling carbon count, a vehicle model, or a data-speed specification.
Summary
In short, C10 is context-dependent. In chemistry it denotes ten carbon atoms (as in decane, C10H22); in consumer tech it points to Class 10 SD card speed; and in automotive culture it refers to the Chevrolet C10 pickup. It can also indicate a decyl (C10) column or stationary phase in chromatography in scientific settings. Understanding the surrounding terms is key to identifying which meaning applies in any given case.
