alkanes

• hydrocarbons are elements containing carbon and hydrogen only
• a homologous series has the same general formula, similar chemical properties, and show patterns in physical properties
• examples of similar chemical properties are combustion and flammability
• examples of physical properties are melting and boiling points
• alkanes are a homologous series of covalently bonded molecules
• alkanes are saturated, as they only contain single bonds
• alkanes are commonly used as fuels because they take part in combustion reactions
• alkanes are covalent molecular which means they are insoluble in water, this means they can be collected by displacement of water
• the general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2