Alkanes - Properties & Combustion

Cards (23)

  • What are alkanes classified as?
    A homologous series of hydrocarbons
  • What elements do alkanes contain?
    Only carbon and hydrogen atoms
  • What is a key characteristic of alkanes regarding bonds?
    They contain no double bonds
  • What are the names of the first four alkanes?
    • Methane (C1H4)
    • Ethane (C2H6)
    • Propane (C3H8)
    • Butane (C4H10)
  • How do the boiling points of alkanes change with carbon chain length?
    Boiling points increase with chain length
  • What state do the first four alkanes exist in at room temperature?
    Gases
  • What happens to longer alkanes at room temperature?
    They are liquids or solids
  • Why are shorter alkanes more volatile?
    They have lower boiling points
  • What does it mean for alkanes to be viscous?
    They are thick and sticky
  • How does flammability change with alkane chain length?
    Shorter alkanes are more flammable
  • What is the main use of hydrocarbons like alkanes?
    • They are used as fuels
    • They release energy when burned
    • They undergo combustion reactions
  • What is complete combustion of hydrocarbons?
    Reaction with oxygen to form CO2 and H2O
  • What type of reaction is combustion?
    An exothermic reaction
  • What happens to hydrogen and carbon during combustion?
    They are oxidized by combining with oxygen
  • What is the balanced equation for the complete combustion of propane (C3H8)?
    C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O
  • How do you balance the combustion equation for propane?
    Ensure carbons, hydrogens, and oxygens match
  • What is the unbalanced equation for the combustion of nonane (C9H20)?
    C9H20 + O2CO2 + H2O
  • How many CO2 molecules are produced from nonane combustion?
    Nine CO2 molecules
  • How many H2O molecules are produced from nonane combustion?
    Ten H2O molecules
  • How do you balance the oxygen in nonane combustion?
    Fourteen O2 molecules for 28 oxygen atoms
  • What are the key points about alkanes and combustion?
    • Properties depend on carbon chain length
    • Shortest alkanes are most volatile and flammable
    • Combustion produces CO2 and H2O
    • Requires sufficient oxygen for complete combustion
  • What is produced during the combustion of hydrocarbons?
    Carbon dioxide and water
  • What is the significance of combustion in hydrocarbons?
    It releases energy for fuel use