2. alkanes

• What is the general formula for alkanes?

  $C_nH_{2n+2}$
• What does it mean for alkanes to be saturated?

  They have no double bonds in their structure
• What are the main elements found in alkanes?

  Hydrogen and carbon
• What is the molecular formula for methane?

  $CH_4$
• What is the molecular formula for ethane?

  $C_2H_6$
• What is the molecular formula for propane?

  $C_3H_8$
• How do cycloalkanes differ from alkanes?

  Cycloalkanes have a ring structure
• What is the general formula for cycloalkanes?

  $C_nH_{2n}$
• What is the significance of alkanes in terms of fuel?

  They burn well and produce energy
• What is the process of fractional distillation used for?

  To separate different lengths of hydrocarbons
• At what temperature is crude oil vaporized in fractional distillation?

  About 350 degrees Celsius
• What happens to the longest hydrocarbons during fractional distillation?

  They do not vaporize and collect at the bottom
• What is the temperature gradient in a fractional distillation column?

  Cooler at the top, warmer at the bottom
• What type of hydrocarbons come off at the top of the fractional distillation column?

  Short-chain hydrocarbons
• What is LPG an abbreviation for?

  Liquefied petroleum gas
• What is the purpose of cracking in the petrochemical industry?

  To convert heavy fractions into lighter, valuable ones
• What are the two types of cracking mentioned?

  Thermal cracking and catalytic cracking
• What conditions are used in thermal cracking?

  High temperature and high pressure
• What is produced mainly from thermal cracking?

  Mainly alkenes
• What catalyst is used in catalytic cracking?

  Zeolite catalyst
• What are the products of catalytic cracking primarily used for?

  Aromatic hydrocarbons useful in fuels
• What do alkanes produce when they combust completely?

  Carbon dioxide and water
• What is the result of incomplete combustion of alkanes?

  Produces carbon monoxide and soot
• Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?

  It binds to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport
• What is the function of a catalytic converter?

  To convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide
• What are the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels?

  Produces carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  Heat is trapped by greenhouse gases
• How do greenhouse gases affect the Earth's temperature?

  They absorb and emit infrared radiation
• Who is responsible for making things dirty and causing breathing problems?

  Thomas Lee
• What problems do particulates cause in engines?

  They clog engines and reduce efficiency
• What is the result of burning fuels incompletely?

  It produces carbon dioxide and other pollutants
• What greenhouse gas is produced by burning fossil fuels?

  Carbon dioxide
• How do greenhouse gases contribute to global warming?

  They trap infrared radiation from the Sun
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  It's the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases
• What evidence do scientists monitor for global warming?

  Melting glaciers and snowmelt
• What is photochemical smog caused by?

  Burning fossil fuels and chemical reactions
• What is the role of nitrogen dioxide in photochemical smog?

  It reacts with hydrocarbons to form ozone
• Where does ozone exist that is harmful to humans?

  In the lower atmosphere
• What is the effect of acid rain on the environment?

  It damages trees, plants, and aquatic life
• What gas is formed when sulfur reacts with oxygen?

  Sulfur dioxide