organic chemistry

• What should you be able to describe by the end of the video on crude oil?


  How crude oil is formed, the meaning of hydrocarbons and alkanes, and the structural formula for alkanes
• What does it mean that crude oil is a finite resource?

  It means that crude oil will eventually run out if we continue using it
• From what is crude oil formed?

  From the remains of tiny sea creatures called plankton
• What are hydrocarbons?

  Molecules made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms only
• What is the formula for methane?

  $CH_4$
• What is the key feature of alkanes?

  They have the general formula $C_nH_{2n+2}$
• How do you calculate the number of hydrogen atoms in an alkane?

  Multiply the number of carbon atoms by 2 and then add 2
• If methane has one carbon atom, how many hydrogen atoms does it contain?

  Four hydrogen atoms
• If ethane has two carbon atoms, how many hydrogen atoms does it contain?

  Six hydrogen atoms
• What is the general formula for alkanes that you need to memorize?

  $C_nH_{2n+2}$
• How do you determine the structure of propane using the general formula?

  • Propane has three carbon atoms (N = 3).
  • Calculate hydrogen atoms:
  • Multiply 3 by 2 = 6
  • Add 2: 6 + 2 = 8
  • Structure of propane: $C_3H_8$
• How do you determine the structure of butane using the general formula?

  • Butane has four carbon atoms (N = 4).
  • Calculate hydrogen atoms:
  • Multiply 4 by 2 = 8
  • Add 2: 8 + 2 = 10
  • Structure of butane: $C_4H_{10}$
• Why are alkanes described as saturated molecules?

  Because the carbon atoms are fully bonded to hydrogen atoms
• Which alkanes should you memorize the structures for?

  • Methane
  • Ethane
  • Propane
  • Butane
• What types of products are derived from crude oil?

  Plastics, petrol, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics
• What is the significance of learning the definition of hydrocarbons?

  It is crucial for understanding the composition of crude oil