intro

• what is organic chemistry?

  the scientific study of the structure, properties and reactions of organic chemistry
• what is a hydrocarbon?

  compounds that only contain hydrogen + carbon atoms
• how can organic compounds be represented?

  • empirical formulae
  • molecular formulae
  • general formulae
  • structural formulae
• what is empirical formulae?

  the simplest possible ratio of the atoms in a molecule
• what is the molecular formulae?

  actual number of atoms in a molecule
• what is the general formulae?

  the ratio of atoms in a family of compounds in terms of 'n' where n is a varying whole number
• what is displayed formulae?

  the spatial arrangement of all the atoms and bonds in a molecule
• what is structural formulae?

  • enough information is shown to make the structure clear but most of the actual covalent bonds are omitted
  • only important bonds are always shown, e.g. double + triple bonds
• what is a homologous series?

  series or family of organic compounds that have similar features and chemical properties due to them having the same functional group
• what do all homologous series members have?

  • the same general formulae
  • same functional group
  • similar chemical properties
  • gradiation in their physical properties
• what is a functional group?

  a group of atoms bonded in a specific arrangement that influences the properties of the homologous series
• what are isomers?

  compounds that have the same molecular formula but different displayed formulae e.g. propene + cyclopropane