alkanes

• alkanes contain only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms.
• hydrocarbons only contain hydrogen and carbon
• alkanes can be represented by the general formula CnH2n+2
• the first four members of the homologous series are methane, ethane, propane and butane
• saturated hydrocarbons are compounds containing only single c-c bonds
• a hydrocarbon is a compound formed of hydrogen and carbon atoms only
• the molecular formula of methane is C1H4
• the molecular formula of ethane is C2H6
• the molecular formula of propane is C3H8
• alkanes contain only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms
• saturated hydrocarbons are compounds containing only single c-c bonds
• alkenes can be represented by the general formula CnH2n
• Homologous series=

  A group of compounds with the same general formula, with each successive member differing by CH2

  They have similar chemical properties and a trend in physical properties.
• the bigger the surface area of the molecule the higher the boiling point because there are more forces of attraction
• the molecular formula of butane is C4H10
• which compound is this the structure for

  methane

  
• which compound is this the structure for

  ethane

  
• which compound is this the structure for

  propane

  
• which compound is this the structure for

  butane

  
• alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons because they only contain single c-c bonds
• the longer the alkane the higher the boiling point
• more volatile = they evaporate more easily
• the shorter the alkane the more volatile it is
• shorter alkanes are more flammable
• one of the main uses of hydrocarbons is for fuel because lots of energy is released when they are burned with oxygen
• complete combustion reaction = hydrocarbon + oxygen —> carbon dioxide + water
• complete combustion is an exothermic reaction
• the properties of hydrocarbons depend on the length of the carbon chain
• the process of using hydrocarbon as a fuel is called combustion
• complete combustion only takes place if there is enough oxygen present
• hydrocarbons are used for fuel because they release lots of energy