Hydrocarbons

• What area of chemistry focuses on compounds containing carbon?

  Organic chemistry
• Why is carbon considered a useful element in chemistry?

  It can form four strong bonds
• What are hydrocarbons defined as?

  Compounds formed from carbon and hydrogen only
• What is the name of the hydrocarbon with the formula C4H10?

  Butane
• Why is butanol not classified as a hydrocarbon?

  It contains an oxygen atom
• What is the simplest alkane?

  Methane
• How many hydrogen atoms are in ethane?

  Six hydrogen atoms
• What is the molecular formula for propane?

  C3H8
• How do the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms change in alkanes?

  They increase by one carbon and two hydrogens
• What is a homologous series in organic chemistry?

  A group of compounds with similar properties
• What is the general formula for alkanes?

  CnH2n+2
• If an alkane has three carbon atoms, how many hydrogen atoms does it have?

  Eight hydrogen atoms
• What is the molecular formula for octane?

  C8H18
• What does it mean for alkanes to be saturated compounds?

  Every carbon has four single covalent bonds
• What happens if a single bond in propane is changed to a double bond?

  It becomes an alkene
• What are the first four alkanes in the series?

  1. Methane (C1H4)
  2. Ethane (C2H6)
  3. Propane (C3H8)
  4. Butane (C4H10)
• What are the key features of alkanes?

  • Saturated compounds
  • No double bonds
  • Similar properties in homologous series
• What are the steps to write equations for the combustion of alkanes?

  1. Identify the alkane.
  2. Write the balanced equation with oxygen.
  3. Include products: CO2 and H2O.