Alkanes

Question 1

What is a saturated hydrocarbon?

Answer 1

A molecule containing C-C single bonds only.

Question 2

What is the shape and bond angle around each carbon in an alkane?

Answer 2

Tetrahedral and 109.5°

Question 3

Why do longer alkanes and have higher boiling points?

Answer 3

There are more induced dipole-induced dipole forces that make surface contact so more energy is needed to overcome them.

Question 4

Why do branched molecules and shorter carbon chains have lower boiling points?

Answer 4

There are less induced dipole-induced dipole forces making surface contact so less energy is required to overcome them.

Question 5

Why are alkanes very unreactive?

Answer 5

The C-C and C-H sigma bonds are strong.
The C-C bonds are non polar.
The electronegativity of carbon and hydrogen are so similar that the C-H bond can be considered non polar.

Question 6

What are the products of complete combustion?

Answer 6

CO2 and H2O

Question 7

What are the products of incomplete combustion?

Answer 7

C, CO and H2O

Question 8

What are the conditions for free radical substitution?

Answer 8

UV light/sunlight

Question 9

What are the limitations of free radical substitution?

Answer 9

Further substitution
Substitution at different positions along the carbon chain.

Question 10

What is the general formula of alkanes?

Answer 10

CnH2n+2