Crude oil and Hydrocarbons

• What is meant by a hydrocarbon?

  Molecules made of hydrogen and carbon atoms
• What is an alkane?

  A type of hydrocarbon with single bonds
• What products are derived from crude oil?

  • Plastics
  • Petrol
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Cosmetics
• How is crude oil formed?

  From remains of tiny sea creatures buried in mud
• What is the nature of crude oil as a resource?

  It is a finite resource
• What does the structural formula of methane show?

  One carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms
• What is the definition of hydrocarbons?

  Molecules made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms only
• What do scientists call hydrocarbons like methane and ethane?

  Alkanes
• If n equals 1, how many hydrogen atoms are in methane?

  4 hydrogen atoms
• If n equals 2, how many hydrogen atoms are in ethane?

  6 hydrogen atoms
• How many hydrogen atoms are in propane with n equals 3?

  8 hydrogen atoms
• How many hydrogen atoms are in butane with n equals 4?

  10 hydrogen atoms
• Why are alkanes considered saturated molecules?

  Because carbon atoms are fully bonded to hydrogen