introduction to organic chemistry

• What is a hydrocarbon?

  a compound that contains only hydrogen and carbon atoms.
• What is empirical formula?

  The simplest whole number ratio of the atoms in a molecule.
• What is molecular formula?

  It shows the actual number of each type of atom present in a molecule.
• What does homologous series mean?

  A series of compounds with similar chemical properties because they have the same functional group.
• What is a functional group?

  Atom or group of atoms that determine the chemical properties of a compound.
• What are isomers?

  molecules with the same molecular formula but different displayed formulae.
• What is general formula?

  A formula applicable to all members of a homologous series.
• What is structural formula?

  It shows how the atoms in a molecule are joined together.
• What is displayed formula?

  It shows all the bonds in a molecule as individual lines.
• What are the characteristics of a homologous series?

  they have the same functional group

  they have similar chemical properties

  they have the same general formula
• What are alcohols?

  homologous series of compounds which all contain an OH functional group attached to a hydrocarbon chain.
• what is methyl?

  CH3
• What is ethyl?

  CH3CH2
• What happens when organic compounds are combusted?

  They produce carbon dioxide and water.
• What are some examples of reactions with organic compounds?

  substitution reactions

  addition reactions

  combustion reactions
• What is crude oil?

  a mixture of hydrocarbons.
• What is cracking?

  The process in which long chain alkanes are converted to alkenes or smaller chain alkanes.
• What homologous series do the compounds found in crude oil belong to ?

  Alkanes.