Hydrocarbons

• hydrocarbons only contain hydrogen and carbon atoms
• a hydrocarbon is any compound that is formed from carbon and hydrogen only
• Alkanes all have C-C single bonds
• alkanes are the simplest type of hydrocarbons you can get
• the alkanes are a homologues series - a group on organic compounds that react in similar ways
• alkanes are saturated compounds - each carob atom forms four single covalent bonds
• the first four alkanes are ; methane , ethane , propane and butane
• hydrocarbons proprieties change as the chain gets longer
• as the length of the carbon chain changes so does the properties of the hydrocarbon also change
• the shorter the carbon chain = less viscous (gloopy) hydrocarbons
• the shorter the carbon chain = lower boiling point
• the shorter the carbon chain = more volatile
• the shorter the carbon chain = more flammable hydrocarbons
• properties of hydrocarbons are affceted on how they're used for fuels
• complete combustion us when there is plenty of oxygen
• complete combustion of any hydrocarbon in oxygen releases a lot of energy - the only waste products are carbon dioxide and water vapour
• hydrocarbon + oxygen ------> carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)
• carbon and hydrogen from the hydrocarbon are both oxidised during combustion
• oxidation is the gain of oxygen
• incomplete combustion occurs if not enough oxygen
• hydrocarbons are used as fuels due to the amount of energy released when they combust completely