Alkanes Flashcards
general formula for alkanes?
Cn H2n+2
what type of molecule are all alkanes
simple molecular
describe + explain trend in alkane boiling point
as the straight chain gets longer, the boiling point increases
- longer chain = larger surface area contact
- large SA contact = stronger VdW forces = high boiling point
what is crude oil
a mixture of different length hydrocarbons
what method is used to separate different alkanes in crude oil
fractional distillation
- crude oil is vaporised and put into a tower which is hotter a the bottom and colder at the top
- as vapour rises it cools and will condense at different heights as they have different boiling points
- larger molecule = lower down the column it condenses
what happens to the hydrocarbons as the carbon chain gets longer
- become more viscous (thick)
- harder to ignite
- less volatile
- have higher boiling points
- have stronger VdW forces between molecules
what method do you use to split longer hydrocarbons into shorter ones
thermal cracking and catalytic cracking
what are the conditions of thermal cracking
- high temperature
- high pressure
what does thermal cracking produce
- produces a high percentage of alkenes and straight-chain alkanes
what are the conditions of catalytic cracking
- high temperature
- slight/moderate pressure
- zeolite catalyst
what does catalytic cracking produce
- produces motor fuels ( short chain alkanes), aromatic hydrocarbons and cycloalkanes
what products form from the complete combustion of alkanes?
carbon dioxide and water
what products form from the incomplete combustion of alkanes?
carbon and/or carbon dioxide
why is complete combustion more cost-effective than incomplete combustion
- complete combustion is more exothermic
name 5 pollutants from incomplete combustion?
- carbon monoxide
- carbon particulates
- unburnt hydrocarbons
- nitrogen di/oxide(s)
- sulfur dioxide