Alkanes

• Carbon atoms are linked to four other atoms by single bonds
• Alkanes contain single bonds and are described as saturated hydrocarbons
• Alkanes are fairly unreactive but they burn well
• What is the general formula for Alkanes?

  CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
• Alkanes can be drawn with a single line between atoms , which represents a single covalent bond
• Hydrogen atoms can make 1 bond each
• Carbon atoms can make 4 bonds each
• What is the simplest alkane?

  Methane
• Methane , CH₄ , is a molecule made up of 4 hydrogen atoms and 1 carbon atom
• Ethane, C₂H₆ , is a molecule made up of 2 carbon atoms and 6 hydrogen atoms
• Propane , C₃H₈ , is a molecule made up of 3 carbon atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms
• Butane , C₄H₁₀ , is a molecule made up of 4 carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms
• Shorter chain alkanes release energy more quickly by burning , so there is greater demand for them as fuels