Alkanes (P2C3)

Question 1

What is the key feature that differentiates alkanes from alkenes?

Answer 1

Alkanes always have a single bond.

Question 2

What is cracking?

Answer 2

Creaking is the breaking down of longer-chain alkane to produce short-chain alkanes and alkenes.

Question 3

What are hydrocarbons?

Answer 3

Hydrocarbons are molecules made solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They are either alkanes or alkenes.

Question 4

How is crude oil formed?

Answer 4

Crude oil is formed over millions of years from the fossilised remains of plankton in earth’s crust.

Question 5

What is crude oil?

Answer 5

Crude oil is a mixture of different hydrocarbons.

Question 6

How does the size of a hydrocarbon affect viscosity?

Answer 6

Larger hydrocarbons are more viscous.

Question 7

How does the size of a hydrocarbon affect the boiling point?

Answer 7

Larger hydrocarbons will have higher boiling points.

Question 8

How does the size of a hydrocarbon affect the volatility?

Answer 8

Larger hydrocarbons will have less volatility.

Question 9

What does ‘volatility’ refer to?

Answer 9

Volatility is how rapidly a substance will evaporate.

Question 10

What is the general formula for an alkane?

Answer 10

CnH2n+2