Petroleum product properties: Identify the single incorrect statement about specific gravity and energy content of hydrocarbon families.

Introduction:
The question tests understanding of how specific gravity correlates with hydrogen-to-carbon ratio and how energy content compares across hydrocarbon families (paraffins vs aromatics) on mass and volume bases.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Compare paraffins (alkanes) and aromatics.
• Relate specific gravity to C/H ratio and energy content.
• Assume typical petroleum-range hydrocarbons.

Concept / Approach:
As specific gravity increases, the average hydrogen content per carbon generally decreases (more condensed structures), increasing the C/H ratio. Energy content comparisons depend on whether we consider per unit mass or per unit volume.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Fuel property tables show paraffinic streams have higher MJ/kg, whereas denser aromatic streams exhibit higher MJ/L.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Only Option B is wrong; A, C, D, and E align with standard trends.

Common Pitfalls:
Mixing up mass-basis and volume-basis energy content; assuming one family dominates on both metrics.

Final Answer:
Aromatics have lower specific gravity than corresponding paraffins.