Hydrocarbons

• hydrocarbons consist of Hydrogen and carbon atoms only
• Alkanes have a general formula of CnH2n+2.
• alkanes are a homologous series of organic compounds which all react in a similar way
• alkanes are saturated compounds - each carbon atom forms four single covalent bonds
• The shorter the carbon chain the less viscous it is
• shorter chains are also more volatile (Lower boiling points)
• the shorter the chain the more flammable the hydrocarbon is
• short chains are stored as liquids under pressure
• complete combustion requires lots of energy and has the waste products of carbon dioxide and water vapour
• in combustion hydrogen and carbon are oxidised
• hydrocarbons are used as fuels due to the amount of energy released during combustion