Basic organic chemistry

• What are crude hydrocarbons primarily made of?


  Hydrogen and carbon atoms
• How did crude oil form millions of years ago?


  From tiny sea creatures and plankton buried in mud under high temperature and pressure
• What is an alkane?


  A hydrocarbon without any double bonds
• How do alkanes end in their naming convention?


  They always end in 'ane'
• What is the general formula for alkanes?


  CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
• What is the molecular formula for methane?


  CH₄
• What is the molecular formula for ethane?


  C₂H₆
• What is the molecular formula for propane?


  C₃H₈
• What is the molecular formula for butane?


  C₄H₁₀
• What is the molecular formula for pentane?


  C₅H₁₂
• What is fractional distillation and its purpose?


  • Separates liquids with different boiling points
  • Essential for processing crude oil into useful products
  • Does not separate into individual molecules, but into groups called fractions
• What happens to crude oil without separation?


  It is useless
• How does the length of a hydrocarbon molecule affect its boiling point?


  Longer molecules have higher boiling points due to stronger intermolecular forces
• What is the boiling point?


  The temperature at which a liquid turns to a gas
• What does viscosity describe?


  The thickness of a substance
• What is volatility?


  How easily a substance changes to a gas
• What does flammability refer to?


  How easily something catches fire
• What are the properties of short chain hydrocarbons?


  • Ignite easily and burn well (flammable)
  • Less smoky flames
  • High volatility (easily changes to gas)
  • Low viscosity
  • Low boiling point
• What are the properties of long chain hydrocarbons?


  • Lower flammability
  • Smoky flames
  • Low volatility (doesn't change to gas easily)
  • High viscosity (thick)
  • High boiling point
• What are the uses of the fractions obtained from crude oil?


  • Petrol: fuel for cars
  • Naptha: manufacturing of chemicals
  • Kerosene: fuel for aircraft
  • Diesel: fuel for cars, vans, and lorries
  • Bitumen: used for laying roads
• Why do long chain hydrocarbons have higher boiling points?


  They have more intermolecular forces, requiring more energy to break the chains
• What is one use of gas in everyday applications?


  Barbeques
• What is petrol primarily used for?


  Fuel for cars and transport vehicles
• What is naptha used for after being cracked?


  Making plastics and chemicals
• What is kerosene commonly used as?


  Fuel for aircraft, jet engines, and rockets
• What type of vehicles use diesel as fuel?


  Cars, vans, and lorries
• What is the purpose of lubricating oil?


  Protects from rust and lubricates machinery
• Where is fuel oil primarily used?


  Power stations and ships
• What is one use of paraffin wax?


  Polishing surfaces
• What is bitumen used for?


  Covering roofs and making roads
• What does complete combustion of fuels produce?


  Carbon dioxide and water
• What does complete combustion require?


  Plenty of oxygen
• If ethane combusts completely, what are the products?


  Carbon dioxide and water
• What is the balanced equation for the complete combustion of ethane?

  $C_2H_6 +$$7O_2 \rightarrow 2CO_2 +$$6H_2O$
• What is the chemical formula for ethane?


  C₂H₆
• What is the chemical formula for water?


  H₂O
• What is the chemical formula for oxygen gas?

  O₂
• What is the chemical formula for carbon dioxide?


  CO₂