Alkanes and Cracking

• What type of bonds do alkanes contain?

  Only single covalent bonds
• What is the simplest type of hydrocarbon?

  Alkanes
• What is the general formula for alkanes?

  C$n$H$2n+$$2$
• What are the names and formulas of the first four alkanes?

  1. Methane - CH$4$
  2. Ethane - C$2$H$6$
  3. Propane - C$3$H$8$
  4. Butane - C$4$H$10$
• What happens to the boiling point of alkanes as the carbon chain length increases?

  Boiling point increases
• What happens to the density of alkanes as the carbon chain length increases?

  Density increases
• What happens to the reactivity of alkanes as the carbon chain length increases?

  Reactivity decreases
• What is the process of cracking in hydrocarbons?

  • Breaks down long-chain hydrocarbons
  • Produces shorter, more useful hydrocarbons
  • Involves heating and catalysts
• What is the general reaction for cracking long-chain alkanes?

  Long-chain alkane → shorter-chain alkane + alkene
• Why is there a high demand for fuels with shorter carbon chains?

  They are more useful as fuels
• What is catalytic cracking?

  Vaporizing hydrocarbons over a hot catalyst
• What is steam cracking?

  Mixing hydrocarbons with steam and heating
• How do alkenes react with bromine water?

  Change from orange to colourless
• Which is more reactive: alkanes or alkenes?

  Alkenes are more reactive