alkanes

• Alkanes are a type of hydrocarbon, which means they are compounds made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms
• • They follow the general formula CnH2n+2.
• • This group of compounds is a series (family), each member differing by a CH2 unit.
• • Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons meaning they only have single bonds between carbon atoms.
• • Each carbon atom forms four single bonds, and each hydrogen atom forms one single bond.
• • Alkanes also react with oxygen in a combustion reaction to produce carbon dioxide and water. This combustion can be complete or incomplete depending on the amount of oxygen available.
• • Alkanes have various uses, including as fuel (like methane for heating, propane for cooking, and octane in petrol).
  • Also, they are used in petrochemical industries to make a wide variety of products such as plastics and synthetic fibres.
• • When alkanes are burned, they release carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.
  • Uncontrolled reactions involving alkanes can lead to fires and explosions.
  • Alkanes found in crude oil and natural gas must be extracted, which can lead to ecosystem disturbances and potential spills.