Hydrocarbons

• What is organic chemistry primarily concerned with?

  Compounds that contain carbon
• Why are hydrocarbons considered the simplest organic compounds?

  They only contain hydrogen and carbon atoms
• What is the formula for decane?

  C₁₀H₂₂
• What distinguishes hydrocarbons from other organic compounds?

  They are formed from carbon and hydrogen only
• What type of bonds do alkanes have?

  All C–C single bonds
• What is the general formula for alkanes?

  CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
• What are the characteristics of alkanes?

  • They are a homologous series
  • They are saturated compounds
  • Each carbon forms four single covalent bonds
• What are the first four alkanes?

  Methane, ethane, propane, butane
• How does the length of a carbon chain affect hydrocarbon properties?

  It changes viscosity, volatility, and flammability
• What happens to the viscosity of hydrocarbons as the carbon chain gets shorter?

  They become less viscous
• What is the relationship between carbon chain length and boiling point?

  Shorter chains have lower boiling points
• Why are shorter chain hydrocarbons used as bottled gases?

  They have lower boiling points
• What are the waste products of complete combustion of hydrocarbons?

  Carbon dioxide and water vapour
• What is the general equation for the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon?

  Hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
• What is produced when methane combusts completely?

  Carbon dioxide and water
• How do you balance the combustion equation for methane?

  CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O
• What is the process of fractional distillation used for?

  • To separate hydrocarbon fractions
  • Based on boiling points
  • Used in refining crude oil
• How is crude oil formed?

  Over a long period of time
• What does fractional distillation separate in crude oil?

  Hydrocarbon fractions